Southampton v Chelsea free betting tips: Best bets and Premier League preview
Football betting tips: Premier League
1pt Timo Werner to score anytime at 9/4 (General)
1pt Timo Werner to have 1+ assists at 4/1 (Betfair)
Southampton v Chelsea
- 12:30 GMT on BT Sport 1
- Match odds: Home 15/4 | Draw 11/4 | Away 8/11
Saturday's early kick-off puts together two teams in completely contrasting form. Southampton have lost their last five in the Premier League while Chelsea remain unbeaten under Thomas Tuchel, the only goal they have conceded came after Antonio Rudiger directed the ball into his own net against Sheffield United.
Tuchel's Chelsea look a side who can control games. They also appear to be playing with some confidence about them and they will more than fancy their chances of another three points given the current issues for the Saints.
The Blues enter the weekend in the Premier League's top-four and the aim will now be to close the gap on Leicester and Manchester United above (four points). They may see players return from injury for this contest too - Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz were both pictured in training on Thursday.
Havertz is certainly one to keep an eye on for the future but a player who is likely to be given another start here is Timo Werner. He netted twice in the previous meeting (a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge) and he ended his long wait for a Premier League goal with the opener against Newcastle last time out.
There is a price of 9/4 available with four different bookmakers on TIMO WERNER TO SCORE ANYTIME and those odds are just too big to ignore against a team in the form of Southampton. The 24-year-old's tally across all competitions is ten this season so it's hardly the horrendous return that is being made out at times.
It's also a surprise to see a number of other bookmakers offering 2/1 or bigger on a goal. Olivier Giroud could get a start in Tammy Abraham's absence and he will likely occupy the Southampton defence with his physicality, that will benefit Werner who can then play off him rather than alongside.
Werner has seen plenty of efforts to score during his time with Tuchel too. He had four shots in that win over Newcastle, while there were three in each of the wins against Burnley and Tottenham. It's 6/5 with Sky Bet that he has two or more in this contest, which can't be completely disregarded because of that recent record. However, with the odds available, there is more appeal in backing one of the shots to hit the net.
Looking at the Betfair markets, it's also worth a play on the 4/1 for TIMO WERNER TO ASSIST A GOAL in this contest. The prices available on both selections cover each other if he is directly involved in a Chelsea goal in some capacity.
He has had one direct assist under Tuchel (the win over Sheffield United) while he was the fouled player for penalties against the Blades and Tottenham. It's an underrated part of his game, Werner has nine assists this season, 13 last, while there were ten in 2018/19.
Southampton have conceded at least twice in four of the five games on this losing run and, against a Chelsea side who have scored two in three of their last four Premier League appearances, we can expect that to continue in an away win with Werner heavily involved.
Score prediction: Southampton 0-2 Chelsea (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)
Southampton v Chelsea best bets
- Timo Werner to score anytime at 9/4 (General)
- Timo Werner to have 1+ assists at 4/1 (Betfair)
Odds correct at 1745 GMT (18/02/21)
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