GAZ BLAST FOR BLUES
Cahill an aerial threat
IT’S great goals and free-flowing football that garner all the headlines.
But time and again it is the team with the best defensive record that wins the Premier League.
Compared to their rivals, Chelsea are head and shoulders above any side when it comes to keeping clean sheets and that’s why I’m taking the Blues to be crowned champions in May.
Without European commitments and with an established starting line-up, Antonio Conte’s men are in pole position as the season reaches the halfway point but face a real test in today’s lunchtime clash at Crystal Palace.
The Eagles are a big, strong outfit with fantastic home support. Selhurst Park is one of the most atmospheric and claustrophobic grounds in the division and the tight space suits an aggressive style of play.
Derby
Expect Alan Pardew’s side to try to unsettle Chelsea and put them off their stride and expect the home side to score. At set-pieces Palace pose a genuine threat with Scott Dann, Damien Delaney and Christian Benteke and I fancy both teams to score at the 8-11 available with StanJames.com and Betfred.
But just as Palace are strong at set-pieces they are also vulnerable at them, so go for England centre-back Gary Cahill to score at any time at Betfred’s 9-1.
If the Blues are going to take the title this is exactly the type of game I expect them to win, so they are worth backing at Sky Bet’s standout 8-13 and go for a 2-1 or 3-1 scoreline at the 8-1 and 12-1 on offer at BetVictor.
Tomorrow’s south coast derby between Bournemouth and Southampton promises to be a tight affair.
Everything points to the draw at the 23-10 available with Betfred and Sky Bet and a 1-1 finish at BetVictor’s 6-1.