We’re down to the last sixteen stage of the EFL Cup where Chelsea clash with Southampton at Stamford Bridge. It’s not clear whether Thomas Tuchel particularly values this competition although the German will want to go as far as possible in the English EFL Cup and his second string might be too strong for a Saints side that they recently beat 3-1 in the Premier League.
Tuchel has an elegance of riches at the Bridge, with Marcos Alonso, Reece James, Saul Niguez, Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz among the players that recently started on the bench for a league clash against Brentford. Therefore, there is so much strength in depth.
Ralph Hasenhuttl will concede that the Premier League is much more of a priority than the EFL Cup and it might be that the precarious league standing sees the Austrian make sure that his first team players are kept in store for future engagements.
It was a fairly experimental line-up that clashed against Sheffield United in the previous round, with the Saints going through on spot kicks and the same sort of team could fall short here. However, Over 2.5 Goals is probably the safest play and we can see an open game here.
BETTING VERDICT
Over 2.5 Goals