Southampton v Palace

Southampton are at home to Crystal Palace in the Championship tonight. There can be no doubt that the current from is with Palace who have won their last 3 away. Southampton, having recently lost their manager are now without their star player – 16 yr old Theo Walcott leaving to join Arsenal in a £12 million deal. They lost at home at the weekend to Ipswich and now find themselves in 17th place in the table. It seems right then that Palace are favourites with the bookies but the stand out price of 6/4 on the away win offered by Paddy Power and Stan James seems about right and I can’t see much value in taking it. There may be better value in the HT market. Skybet are offering 11/4 for the home side to lead at the break and this looks pretty generous. Southampton have conceded only 3 fh goals at home all season and have in fact been ahead at the break in 5 of their last 8 home games. Palace have lead in their last 3 away, but previous to that had trailed in 3 out of 4. I cannot recommend a bet on this however. The value looks decent but just not enough with all things considered.