Battle of brilliant backlines as Chelsea host Southampton

Chelsea, odds-on at 8/13 with Coral to triumph, must bounce back from their midweek Champions League blues and put in a performance worthy of Premier League leaders against upstarts Southampton.

Unbeaten at home in the league this season, Jose Mourinho’s men unsurprisingly bear all the hallmarks of a vintage ‘Special One’ side. The Blues boast the best defensive record in the top flight and have conceded just five goals at fortress Stamford Bridge.

With this is mind, the Blues are available at a super 7/4 to win to nil in Coral’s majestic matchday special (punters should note there is a maximum stake of £20 for this bet).

Having been defeated in just one of their last 12 duels with surprise package Saints across all competitions, history is certainly weighted in favour of Chelsea.

The title chasers should worry less about their own defence, however, and come up with a formula to find a way past Ronald Koeman’s robust rearguard.

Southampton are only second to the London club for fewest goals conceded in the league and, with star centre back Toby Alderweireld potentially back to partner impressive Jose Fonte, should provide a stern test.

Chelsea need dynamic duo Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas to find their early season form again and help put the south coast club to the sword. Fiery forward and top scorer Costa is 10/3 to get back into the swing of things by firing home first, while partner in crime Fabregas is the same price to strike anytime.

Electric Eden Hazard’s magic saved a point for the Blues last time these two teams battled, so the brilliant Belgian is to 7/4 in the anytime market to bamboozle the top four hopefuls again. Should the silk of of Fabregas and co fail, battering ram Didier Drogba is on hand to provide the steel at 5/1 and have the final say.