On Thursday night, from 18:00, Southampton receives the visit of Arsenal, in the 31st round of the Premier League. The “gunners” have a nightmare season and come after another modest performance: 1-2 on Brighton’s field. Southampton defeated Norwich in the last match, 3-0 away. The previous round, Bernd Leno suffered a horror injury and will not defend Arsenal’s goal in this championship.
However, Southampton have no reason to be in the clouds: they have lost 5 of their last 7 official games, but the “Saints” are playing well when they win: they have won zero in 5 of their last 6 victories. On the other hand, both teams seem to favor goal-scoring bets in the Premier League, and statistics show that Southampton have the weakest record in the English Premier League, at home.
Under the command of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal had “tied” a series of eight consecutive games without failure, before the disappointing performance at Brighton. Without a victory in the last 7 trips in the championship, the “gunners” do not present guarantees in defense and rely exclusively on the inspiration brought in attack by the stars Lacazette and Aubameyang. It should also be noted that the Londoners won only once on St. Mary, in the previous 8 visits to the south of England! We will see a new balanced duel.
Arsenal is on the 10th place in the ranking (goal difference 41-41) and can say goodbye from now on from participating in European cups. But this is a beneficial thing for Arteta, in the sense that the Iberian can focus only on the internal course next season. Southampton has not yet finished counting in the relegation battle: it is in 14th place, with 37 points (goal difference 38-52). He has 10 points ahead of the first team below the relegation line, being still in a comfortable position.
Southampton: McCarthy – Valery, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand – Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond – Ings, Obafemi
Coach: Ralf Hasenhuttl
Arsenal: Martinez – Bellerin, Holding, Mustafi, Tierney – Ceballos, Guendouzi, Saka – Pepe, Nketiah, Aubameyang
Coach: Mikel Arteta
-Arsenal have lost both games since the restart, each time away (goal difference 1-5);
-In the tour it was 2-2 on Emirates, where Lacazette brought the point for the Londoners, in overtime;
-In 4 of the last 5 direct duels of the two teams, both teams scored;
-Arsenal have won just 2 of 15 away games this Premier League season;
-Southampton have conceded 31 goals in 15 games played at St. Mary’s this season;
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / YES @ 1,57
