Prediction: Southampton vs Arsenal

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

The Premier League is back once again this weekend as we continue to plummet towards the end of the campaign. Every single club in the league from top to bottom has something to fight for, whether it be a European berth or survival. Today, we’ll take a look at two teams who are probably praying to get a second wind as Southampton go head to head with Arsenal.

Southampton

Southampton Football Club may well be exactly where they’re supposed to be – pretty much safe but rarely flirting with the prospect of top half or European football. Of course, with someone like Ralph Hasenhuttl in charge, fans would like to believe there’s a whole lot more to their stay than that. If things continue as they have been, the board may have a few big decisions to make this summer.

Team News

Broja is available after missing the Chelsea game with Lyanco, Long and McCarthy currently being listed as doubtful for the visit of the Londoners.

Arsenal

Arsenal supporters should’ve known better than to get their hopes up as defeats to Crystal Palace and Brighton leave them back on the outside of the top four looking in. They’ve done well to battle back into the position they currently find themselves in but Mikel Arteta knows it isn’t enough. They need to eradicate the ‘collapse’ mentality they’ve been associated with for so long and they need to do it fast.

Team News

Xhaka has been tipped to come back into the starting XI with the only confirmed absences as of this writing being Tomiyasu, Tierney and Partey.

Factors to Consider

• Arsenal are 5th in the Premier League whereas Southampton are 14th.
• Southampton have drawn one and lost five of their last six games.
• Arsenal have won three and lost three of their last six games.
• Southampton have scored four goals and conceded 19 in their last six games.
• Arsenal have scored seven goals and conceded nine in their last six games.

Conclusion

While the Saints may be down in the dumps, the fact that they’re at home is enough to intimidate a fragile side like Arsenal. On paper we should see a strong, attacking display from the visitors in which they force the hosts back and really impose their will on them. Instead, we think it’ll be a nervy affair with the two troubled clubs sharing the spoils on the south coast – 1-1.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: 888sport