Recap

Chelsea vs. Southampton

Saturday, March 30th 2013, 8:00 CET

Chelsea‘s campaign is considered to have entered a defining period; they are currently in that phase when they are trying to save what can be saved after a total mess of this season. Their 2-1 loss in front of Southampton last Saturday is another drawback in their way to the top 3 of the English Premier League. Their last week’s unexpected failure, made me lose the 7 units I placed on them at Bet365. Yet, Rafael Benitez remains confident on Chelsea’s chances: “I am still confident we can finish in the top four and win one or two trophies”.   

This victory delivered the hosts right into mid-table, but they still are four points away from the cut-off. For Benitez and his team, this was a nasty reminder that it is enough a debatable team selection, a questionable substitution and an obvious dull performance to turn the mood sour.

A negative result against Sunderland next Sunday could lead to Chelsea’s exclusion from the Champions League qualification places. However, Sunderland will have already faced Manchester United by then.

The seven changes made by Benitez to the lineup-which were expected to bring energy and inspiration to the team, proved to have had just the opposite effect: the game was too disjointed, even feeble at times. Still, in spite of the latest clumsy movements, Rafa Benitez remains very respected and admired by his colleagues: “Rafa’s one of the best managers in the world, and he has my respect for what he’s done in football” pointed Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Southampton.

Result:-7 units, bet won