Betting: Hazard’s tricks could treat Chelsea to win over Southampton
As Chelsea prepare to face Southampton this Halloween weekend, they’re already laying the ghosts of last season to rest.
When the Blues were defeated 3-1 at home by Liverpool on October 31 last year, the Blues were 15th in the table, with just three wins from their first 11 matches.
Antonio Conte has shaken the cobwebs off an underperforming squad, and the 4-0 victory over Manchester United last Sunday will have sent shivers through the rest of the title chasing pack.
Certainly not lacking motivation against former boss Jose Mourinho, Conte’s side put on a scintillating display, and the Italian’s 3-4-3 formation has yielded immediate results.
In the three matches since switching tactics, Chelsea have nine points, scored nine times, and conceded none.
The Blues now sit one point off the top of the table. Make no bones about it – Chelsea are in the title race.
In their way on Sunday are a Southampton team who have an equally tight defence of their own.
The Saints have only let in nine goals in 13 games this term, with Fraser Forster conceding more than once in a match just once this season.
The only three teams to beat Claude Puel’s disciplined side in all competitions are Manchester United, Arsenal and Inter Milan – and having held Manchester City last weekend they will fear nobody.
As good as Southampton were at the Etihad last weekend, Chelsea’s dismantling of United was one of the performances of the season, and it’s difficult to look beyond the Blues.
Betway make them a generous 13/10.
A fourth goal of the season for Eden Hazard last week means he’s already matched last season’s tally in just nine games.
The Belgian trickster could provide a few treats on Sunday, and is showing the form that saw him win the 2015 PFA Player of the Year award.
It will probably only be a moment of magic that opens up Southampton’s mean back line, and I can’t see there being many in this one.
I will be selling total goals at 2.5 with Sporting Index.
Pointers
Chelsea – 13/10 (Betway)
Sell total goals – 2.5 (Sporting Index)