Three ways to back your team: Southampton

Southampton famously reached the final of the League Cup last season, eventually losing out to Manchester United at Wembley in a 3-2 thriller. They seemed to have no luck that day – Gabbiadini got a double, but he really should’ve had a hat-trick, a goal cruelly disallowed that would’ve surely changed the direction of the match. The player, and everyone connected to the club, will still be hurting from that loss, and will be determined to put it right at the first time of asking. The fact they have not yet made wholesale changes means the current crop will know just what is ahead of them, and once settled under their new manager, can get right back down to business. Will they improve on February’s narrow defeat and win the League Cup in 2018? Our traders don’t think so, but if you do, there’s a massive 20/1 available at Coral and that’ll be difficult for fans to ignore. A share of neutrals will see that as worth an interest too.

Saints thrive in knockout football

Southampton have won the FA Cup only once throughout history, way back in 1976. They beat Manchester United to write their names in history, a single goal from Bobby Stokes deciding the match. They have, however, ended runner-up on three occasions, as recently as 2003, when sinking vs Arsenal in Cardiff, Robert Pires the match winner on that occasion. Despite a bit of a drought in this format over the last few years, they’re never a side that can be taken lightly in knockout football. Will Pellegrino lead them on a cup run? Coral’s football guys doubt it, and apart from a top-10 finish in the Premier League, they don’t expect too much else to shout about. If you disagree and make Southampton a side capable of winning the nation’s favourite competition, we’ll give you 25/1.

Click here to read our thoughts on Chelsea’s season