Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Odds – Blues take advantage of banged-up Villa
Soccer odds – Pick Chelsea -233
Online betting players had Aston Villa as a trendy pick to make the Champions League, and it looked like they would get there, but their depth is taking a beating due to injuries. That’s not a good sign when they’re en route to Chelsea to face a squad still in the thick of the race for first place. Villa will battle gamely, but they don’t have the depth to overcome injuries to their best players, especially not on the road against Chelsea.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Odds: Chelsea -233; Villa +840; Draw +400
What: Soccer betting
When: Saturday, March 27, 11:00 AM ET
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England
Key Stat: Chelsea has won four and drawn four of their last 10 meetings with Villa
The Storyline: Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Villa is slowly dropping out of the race for fourth in the Premiership after a 1-1 draw at home with Sunderland on Wednesday, and they’ll be extremely disappointed with taking only two points from home games against Sunderland and Wolves in the last week. Chelsea went to Portsmouth and spanked the league’s worst team by a 5-0 scoreline, and now they sit a point behind leaders Manchester United, and a point ahead of pesky Arsenal. Chelsea will be out to avenge a 2-1 loss at Villa earlier this year, as well.
Offensive Matchups: Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Villa has scored nine goals in their last five games, and John Carew has scored six of those markers. The big forward has to be the first player on manager Martin O’Neill’s team sheet, and it’s a wonder why he hasn’t been starting more often, over Emile Heskey. But the Villans have some injury worries, such as Heskey, Gaby Agbonlahor and James Milner. Can Carew keep up this goal-scoring spree?
Outside of Didier Drogba, the Chelsea attack has hit a rough patch lately, despite their five-goal haul at Portsmouth, a team with nothing to play for. The attacking midfielders, Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack, haven’t been that dynamic, and Nicolas Anelka hasn’t scored since January 30th. We’re better off not talking about Joe Cole at all. Florent Malouda added a pair against Portsmouth, and there may be a spot in the starting 11 for him.
Sport Pick: Chelsea
Defensive Matchups: Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Villa’s defense is the key to their sportsbook odds, but they’ve made some uncharacteristic mistakes as of late, and now their rock, Richard Dunne, may miss this game through injury. Dunne scored earlier in the season against Chelsea, and he’s very similar to John Terry, captain of the Blues. Villa doesn’t have much depth throughout the squad, and Dunne’s availability is the biggest question heading into this match.
The Chelsea defense has Petr Cech back between the sticks, and even though Ross Turnbull did a decent job while the No.1 keeper was hurt, you have to have continuity, especially at the back. Chelsea would also love to have Michael Essien back from injury. John Obi Mikel is growing as a defensive midfielder, but Essien is a monster right now.
Free picks: Even
Notable Injuries: Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Heskey (Achilles), Agbonlahor (foot), Milner (Achilles) and Dunne (Achilles) all basically have the same injury. Agbonlahor is the closest to being ready, while the rest played through their injuries on Wednesday, and Heskey and Milner had to be subsitituted.
There are no new injuries to report for Chelsea.
Free picks: Chelsea
Totals: Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Seven of the last 10 games between these two have gone under the posted total, and Villa probably won’t attack much, seeing as how three of their top five attacking players may be out. This will be a low-scoring affair.
Pick: Under 2.5 (+133)
Betting Prediction: Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Chelsea are obviously the favorites here, and they’ve won 13 of their 15 games at the Bridge so far this season. Villa is normally a good away team, and they’ve held their own at Chelsea lately, but they have too many injuries to stay with the Blues today. The injury to Dunne is crucial: if he can’t go, this could get out of hand with the rampaging Drogba attacking the Villa back line.
Free picks: Chelsea -233
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