Sports Betting: Football: Dell might be hell for Chelsea

Southampton, who have a 50 per cent strike rate at home this season, look good value at 3-1 with the Tote to beat Chelsea in their Premiership clash at The Dell tonight. Ruud Gullit's book of blank cheques has duly delivered a side to rival Manchester United going forward, but Chelsea remain fragile at the back. They failed to impress when held 1-1 by Wimbledon at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. Southampton, who gained a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace the same day, are in fair form and might be hard to beat.

Brentford, not disgraced in drawing 1-1 at home to Southend on Friday, are generously priced at 13-5 with Coral to beat Gillingham - hammered 4-0 at Bournemouth on Boxing Day - in their Second Division game while Cambridge, who beat Leyton Orient 1-0 at home on Friday, appeal at 9-4 with William Hill and Ladbrokes to win their Third Division match at Colchester, whose defended poorly in their 4-4 farce at moderate Brighton.

Tomorrow, Portsmouth, who creditably beat QPR 3-1 at home on Boxing day, look good at 4-1 with the Tote to win at Carrow Road against Norwich, beaten 2-1 at Charlton on Boxing Day.

Ante post bets on the FA Cup should be confined to decent Premiership sides with easy home ties. If West Ham's home game against non-League Emley isn't a piece of cake, it will do until a slice of said confectionary makes itself manifest. They look good value at 22-1 with the Tote. More risky but still interesting are Derby County, who must entertain Southampton, but are a tasty 25-1 with Coral.

Team C H L T

Southampton 13-5 5-2 13-5 3-1

Draw 12-5 9-4 5-2 9-4

Chelsea 5-6 10-11 4-5 4-5

Gillingham 5-6 10-11 Evens Evens

Draw 12-5 9-4 9-4 9-4

Brentford 13-5 5-2 9-4 9-4

Colchester 11-10 Evens Evens 11-10

Draw 12-5 9-4 9-4 12-5

Cambridge 15-8 9-4 9-4 15-8

Norwich 4-6 4-6 8-11 8-13

Draw 12-5 12-5 9-4 12-5

Portsmouth 7-2 7-2 100-30 4-1

FA CUP

Team C H L T

West Ham 20-1 16-1 20-1 22-1

Derby 25-1 22-1 20-1 20-1

C - Coral, H - William Hill, L - Ladbrokes, T - Tote