Southampton vs Arsenal: Preview and Prediction

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Match Preview:

Such is football it throws up repeat fixtures and these two teams played in the FA Cup at the weekend. Southampton knocked out Arsenal who were of course the holders in a game that ended 1-0 but all were in agreement that they were the better side and deserved to go through.

The two teams will do battle again and Arsenal will be looking to avenge their FA Cup loss and at least have the opportunity to do it so soon after. 

Southampton have slipped to 10th in the league but victory would see them back inside the top 10 and re-ignite their chance for a European finish. The Saints lost their last league game against Leicester but in general have been on good form which includes beating Liverpool a few weeks ago at this ground. For the club it is all about making St Mary’s a fortress and a difficult place to play and that is working wonders this season- Southampton have the 4th best home record in the league picking up 16 points here from 27.

Arsenal are in their best form of the season and are undefeated in their last 5 winning 4 of those but the FA Cup loss would have been a blow to their plans. Some critics will point out that whilst the club have recorded some good wins they have been mostly against the bottom half of the league and even the Chelsea win was against a team struggling for form. However you can only beat whoever is in front of you and Arsenal seem to have changed their bad fortune around.

Positive results have had an effect and the Gunners have climbed too 11th place, like Southampton, victory would put them into the top 10. Away from home Mikel Arteta’s side have won 45% of their games and more encouragingly have won their last two trips with wins over West Bromwich Albion and Brighton.

Team News: 

Southampton: Ryan Bertrand is suspended for this game. Michael Obafemi is out with a muscle injury, Oriol Romeu isn’t expected back until the end of the month with a calf problem. Jannick Vestergaard with his knee isn’t expected back until February. Kyle Walker-Peters is out for 10 days at least with a thigh injury.

Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the FA Cup clash because of personal reasons and it is not known if the striker will be available for this game. Dani Ceballos has a calf problem but will be assessed. Last week Sokratis left the club.

Southampton vs Arsenal Head to Head:

Last season Arsenal won this fixture 2-0.

In the league Southampton haven’t beaten Arsenal for 5 games going back to 2018.

There is a 60% chance to see under 2.5 goals.

Southampton vs Arsenal Prediction:

The recent FA Cup game has just added spice to this meeting and we should witness a game where Arsenal try to dictate the play from the first whistle. In the cup game Arsenal had plenty of the ball but managed just 2 shots on target and they will have to up their game if they are to get anything here otherwise lots of possession and no end game could spell disaster for the club.

Southampton will be focused and dertermined and are not an easy team to play and Arsenal have a real tough fixture on their hands. But the Gunners have a lot of natural ability players and if they can start well and get an early goal this may propel them. This really is a game that could go either way, so it may be safer to look at the goals markets, and although there was only one goal between them in their last game, we feel this could be more open and contain a few goals.

Southampton vs Arsenal Betting Tips:

Both teams to score (Yes) at 1.66

Over 2.5 total goals at 1.72