The Blues travel to Pompey in the late afternoon Saturday game, so before they kick-off the Londoners will know exactly how they stand. The bookmakers understandably have Chelsea as their clear favourites in the match odds at around 4/7 with the draw at 11/4, while Pompey are around 5/1.
Mourinho’s side have had near-on a week to digest and celebrate their Carling Cup success and with the end-of-game rumble they defiantly came out the best only losing fringe player Mikel, who will subsequently be suspended here. So, with a near full set of players to pick from (including John Terry) Chelsea, although a short price, look the preverbal ‘good-thing’
The pair have meet seven times in the Premiership, with Chelsea winning them all, including three 2-0 wins at Fratton Park, and a repeat of that scoreline can be backed at a tempting 13/2.
Robben who looks sure to figure stands out looking back at previous meetings. The Dutch winger has scored three times in his four matches against Pompey and is 13/5 to add to that tally. However, for me he’s not been in great goalscoring form this season with only toe goals and it could pay to look elsewhere.
Not the most imaginative choices, but when you are putting your hard-earned down for me it’s better to go with form rather than try to sniff out that dream bet.
Carling Cup hero Drogba at 7/5 just to score looks a solid bet. He’s netted 28 times so far this season and looks at the very worst give you a run for your money, which is half the battle in the scoring markets. Also Lampard at 2/1, who has scored in two of his last three games against Pompey stands out, while if you want the better value and a bit more risk then the 9/2 Drogba or the 6/1 Lampard to score first could be the way to go.
Portsmouth are so far having a great season under Harry Redknapp. They are safe from the drop and after always being in the top half of the table, along with Reading, they have been the surprise package of the campaign. A lot of this was down to some shred signings in the summer like Sol Campbell and David James, while in Kanu, with 12 goals, they have a serious goal threat in any game.
Pompey have only lost twice in front of their home fans in the league all season (Bolton & Charlton), but in recent weeks their results have been a mixed bag, losing 3-0 to Blackburn and 1-0 to Wigan among their last three games. Plus if you look at their last seven games they have only one win and seem to be slipping away from that European slot after looking a distinct possibility a month or so back.
So, with much at stake expect Mourhino to go full out here and despite the 4/7 being on the short side in my book you don’t have to pick out 10/1 winners in order to get value. A 4/7 chance if you think it will return a profit can be every bit as much a value bet than any other.
The final market that caught the eye is a draw at half-time and Chelsea to win the match at 7/2. I expect Pompey to put up a bold show from the off with their decent home record and the Champions being in town, but The Blues should come out on top in the end in a game they have a good record in.
Recommended bets
5pts - Chelsea win
1pt – Chelsea 2-0
1pt – Drogba 1st goal
1pt – Lampard to score
1pt – Halftime Draw/ Fulltime Chelsea
* All prices correct at time of writing.
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