Southampton vs Arsenal Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Prediction & Betting

Arsenal will be looking to start the New Year on a positive note when we take on Southampton at St Mary’s on Thursday.

We head into the game sitting level on points with the Saints in fourth place following back-to-back wins over Queens Park Rangers and West Ham, so this is the perfect opportunity for us to establish ourselves in the top four.

The performances may not have been too pleasing on the eye of late but we’ve come through with six points so far and another win tomorrow would round off an excellent festive period for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Southampton have been one of the surprise packages this season and held leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw last time out, but Ronald Koeman will be desperate to end their disappointing run against Arsenal, having failed to beat us in their previous 10 league meetings.

Team news

Danny Welbeck is a doubt after picking up a minor thigh injury at Upton Park but I’d expect him to shake it off in time to start.

Olivier Giroud remains suspended while Aaron Ramsey has been given more time to fully recover from a hamstring injury.

With Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil and Mikel Arteta also still out, Francis Coquelin could continue alongside Mathieu Flamini in midfield.

Tomas Rosicky is set for a recall after being rested at West Ham while Theo Walcott is pushing for some game-time after being an unused sub in recent games.

Southampton will have to make-do without influential midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin after he was sent off against Chelsea so James Ward-Prowse looks set to start.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Southampton 1-1 Arsenal: It’s been a tough few weeks and we’ve had to dig deep to grind out the results and I feel it might catch up with us a little in this game. Southampton are a very difficult side and I can see this game ending in a score draw.

Betting Tips

Arsenal are the narrow favourites to win the game on Thursday but you can back a 1-1 draw at 13/2 with Betfair. We’ve been pretty slow starters this season so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the hosts open the scoring and Saido Mane is in form so looks a tempting bet to score first at 8/1. If we combine that with a 1-1 draw in a scorecast then we get very tempting odds of 49/1. Surely that’s got to be worth a couple of quid!?

BACK A 1-1 DRAW AT ODDS OF 13/2 WITH BETFAIR

What team would you like to see start and whats your predicted score for the game?