Chelsea are 1.25 with Betfred and Boylesports to beat Reading at Stamford Bridge and move to the top of the Premiership table, and look worthy odds-on shots to do just that.
The Blues had just six shots in their opening game against Wigan on Sunday, their fewest in a Premier League game since September 2007 (4 versus Man Utd), but had the game wrapped up with two goals in the first 7 minutes.
They have won five and lost none of the last six meetings in all competitions against Reading, who have a poor away record having won just 7 of their 38 PL games on the road.
Eden Hazard played a role in both, setting up Branislav Ivanovic for the opener and then winning a penalty that was converted by Frank Lampard.
Wigan did then dominate for much of the remainder of the game, but the Chelsea defence stood strong for a solid, if not impressive, 2-0 success.
What was important is that they bagged all three points, and their home record suggests that they will build on it and beat The Royals.
Roberto Di Matteo’s men have won six and lost just one of their last 9 games on their own patch, and face a side who struggled to secure a 1-1 draw with Stoke at home on the opening day.
In all truth, Chelsea should be far too classy and strong for Brian McDermott’s side in what could be a fiery encounter as their have been three red cards in the four Premier League meetings between the pair (two for Reading, One for Chelsea).
That stat suggest that a penalty would not be out of the question, especially as no player has won more penalty kicks in the top five European Leagues (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and England) since the start of last season than Hazard (7).
If that’s the case then Frank Lampard could be a bit of value in the first goalscorer market at 7.5 with Boylesports. He can also be backed at 3 with Boylesports to score anytime and that looks big given that he is as short as 2.38 in a place.
Another interesting stats is that Reading were forced into more defensive clearances on the opening weekend than any other team in the Premier League (57), and as Chelsea are by far a better side than Stoke who they faced then, a comfortable victory looks on the cards.
Chelsea to win 3-0 or 4-0 is my idea of the outcome, and those scorelines can be backed at 8 with Paddy Power and 12 with bet365. Split stakes looks the way to play for so hopefully juicy profit.