Sunday 22nd April 2018
FA Cup Semi-Final
Chelsea v Southampton 15:00
Both Chelsea and Southampton are not having the best of times in their league campaigns so Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final will give them both a chance to forget about that for a while.
Based on their current status then it’s no shock to see Chelsea at the clear favourites in the 90 mins match betting at 1.44, with the Draw 4.33 and Southampton 7.00. While the ‘to qualify’ betting sees Chelsea even shorter at 1.25 and the Saints 3.75.
Or, if you fancy either side to go all the way you can back Chelsea at 2.75 or Southampton at 15.00 before the start of this semi-final.
The sides only played last weekend at St Mary’s so will be very familiar with each other – that ended Southampton 2-3 Chelsea, but the Saints would have been kicking themselves there after being 2-0 up.
They also met at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season and that ended Chelsea 1-0 Southampton so there have only been 1 goal between the two in both league encounters this term.
However, if we look at their FA Cup head-to-head record then there is certainly a big word of caution attached to this game. They’ve met 8 times in this competition before but it’s very surprising that Chelsea have only won once! We’ve seen 3 draws in that time but also 4 wins for the Saints!
Chelsea did win their most-recent FA Cup clash though (2013), plus the Blues have lost just 1 of their last 10 v Southampton and 2 of their last 19!
Looking at the potential goal scorers then Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud was on target against Southampton last weekend so at 5.00 (1st) or 2.20 (anytime) he’s a player to have on your radar, while it’s also worth pointing out Eden Hazard has netted in 3 of the last 4 head-to-heads so at 4.50 (1st) or 2.05 (anytime) he’s also sure to be popular.
For the Saints, Charlie Austin leads the way for them in the league so at 10.00 (1st) or 4.00 (anytime) he’s another to note, as is Shane Long at 13.00 (1st) or 5.00 (anytime).
4 of the last 6 head-to-heads went OVER 2.5 GOALS, so at 1.80 there might be some appeal here but I prefer the ‘Both Teams To Score’ option at 1.95.
As we know this bet paid out when the sides met last Saturday in that 2-3 Chelsea win but, more importantly, it’s also rewarded punters in 6 of the last 8 head-to-heads (75%) so the 1.95 on this happening again looks cracking value to me.
BEST BET – BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @1.95
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Sunday 22nd April 2018
FA Cup Semi-Final
Chelsea v Southampton 15:00
– Already met twice this season in the league
– Southampton 2-3 Chelsea & Chelsea 1-0 Southampton
– Met in the FA Cup 8 times, Chelsea 1, Draw 3, Southampton 4
– Chelsea have lost just 1 of their last 10 vs Southampton
– Chelsea have won their last 5 vs Southampton
– 4 of the last 6 head-to-heads went OVER 2.5 GOALS
– Chelsea have lost just 2 of their last 19 vs Southampton
– Both teams scored in 6 of the last 8 head-to-heads
– Hazard (Chelsea) has scored in 3 of the last 4 head-to-heads
– Giroud (Chelsea) scored a brace in the last head-to-head
– Southampton have conceded just 1 goal in the FA Cup this season
– 3 of Southampton’s 4 FA Cup games this season went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
– Chelsea have conceded just 2 goals in the FA Cup this season