Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Southampton and Arsenal meet for the second time in four days over in the South Coast for a Premier League clash on Tuesday.
An own goal from Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes proved the difference in their previous meeting on Saturday, sealing Southampton a 1-0 victory over the FA Cup holders at St. Mary’s. The hosts, therefore, will be brimming with confidence.
Nothing can be taken for granted, though, with Arsenal set to recall several key players. It should set-up another tantalizingly close affair, with both sides notoriously strong in defense yet a little short on firepower.
Southampton Form & Stats
Saturday’s triumph was Southampton’s third in four games (L1) across all competitions, leaving them in relatively good shape. That said, fortune played a part in Kyle Walker-Peters’s cross deflecting off Gabriel for the match-winning goal against Arsenal.
In fact, the Saints have won just one of their last six Premier League games (D3 L2) to slip from fourth place in the standings down to 10th. This dip in form actually began in a 1-1 draw away to Arsenal on December 16. And with just two points between the clubs now, the hosts cannot afford to lose this one.
Despite the loss of Jannik Vestergaard, Southampton remain a formidable threat in defense. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have kept five clean sheets in their last six outings. They’ve also won five of their nine league games (D1 L3) at St. Mary’s for the league’s fourth-best home record this season.
Key Team Stats
- Won just 1 of their last 6 league games (D3 L2).
- Fourth-best home record in the league (W5 D1 L3).
- Failed to score in 4 of their last 5 league games.
- Theo Walcott hopes to become the fourth ex-Arsenal player to score against the club both at home and away.
Arsenal Form & Stats
Despite their dominance in possession, a lack of threat in the attack again derailed Arsenal in their defeat to Southampton last weekend. The FA Cup love affair is over already. However, with only a seven-point deficit from the Premier League top-four, there is still plenty left to play for the 11th-placed side.
Mikel Arteta will be keen to get his squad back on track. The Gunners had won five of their last six matches (D1) prior to the trip to St. Mary’s and ideally need to leave the South Coast with another three points to maintain their run of form. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s possible absence for personal reasons, however, is a loss.
Like Southampton, Arsenal have been impressive in defense. The visitors have conceded only one goal in their last six games and have the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League itself on 19 conceded goals. They’ve also won their last two away league games against Brighton and West Brom to nil.
Key Team Stats
- Won 4 of their last 5 league games (D1) and conceded just 1 goal.
- Won 5 of their last 10 league meetings with Southampton (D4 L1).
- Aim to keep 5 consecutive clean sheets in the league for the first time since 2006.
- Fourth-best defensive record (19 conceded goals).
- Haven’t won 3 away league games in a row since 2013.
Team News
Southampton
Out: Ryan Bertrand, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jannik Vestergaard, Michael Obafemi, Moussa Djenepo, Mohammed Salisu, William Smallbone, Nathan Tella.
Doubts: Oriol Romeu.
Arsenal
Out: Pablo Mari.
Doubts: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Dani Ceballos.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in the Premier League
Head-To-Head Record (Premier League)
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Premier League.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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