Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Arsenal

Published on: 24/12/2015

Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Arsenal

December 26, 2015 17:30pm - St. Mary`s Stadium

Premier League

Southampton will be attempting to bring an end to their five-game winless run on Saturday when they go head-to-head with Premier League high-flyers Arsenal at St. Mary`s Stadium.

Four defeats in five games for Saints

In the last five Premier League matches, Southampton have drawn one and lost four, scoring just two goals in the process. Prior to that run, Ronald Koeman`s men had lost just one of their previous ten games and were knocking on the door of the European places.

In their last game, they were comfortably beaten 2-0 at St. Mary`s by Tottenham Hotspur to complete a run of three home games without a win. This week, they are at home again and face the difficult task of hosting one of the leagues in-form teams.

Gunners with eye on title

Arsenal will fancy their chances of bagging their fourth straight league win when they make the journey south to face a struggling Southampton side on Boxing Day. The Gunners are second in the table and hot on the heels of surprise leaders Leicester City.

Last time out, Arsene Wenger`s men secured an impressive 2-1 win at home to title rivals Manchester City to put themselves four points clear in second place. With just 14 goals against, no team in the league has conceded less goals that the North Londoners, and no player has more assists than midfielder Mesut Ozil (15)

Team news

The home side are still without Jay Rodriguez, Florin Gardos and Fraser Forster, but could welcome back goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg from a foot injury.

Meanwhile, the Gunners will continue to manage without Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez, Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck

Recent form (League)

Southampton: LLDLL

Arsenal: WWWDL

Betting odds and tips

The Saints have one just one of their last five at home and are struggling for goals. Meanwhile, the Gunners are in good form and have prevailed in six out of nine league away games this season. The away win can be backed at a best price of 23/20 with Betvictor.

Olivier Giroud has scored in six of Arsenals nine away games and can be backed at 5/4 to score anytime with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 24/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (24/12/2015 14:56:55) but are subject to change.