PREVIEW: Arsenal v Southampton

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]lightly odd choice for the televised game tonight with the BT Sport cameras at the Emirates for Arsenal v Southampton despite the Chelsea v Spurs derby looking the pick on paper of the four games in the Premier League tonight.

Southampton have enjoyed an incredible start to the season but in their last two games there is the feeling that the bubble is on the verge of bursting.

They were odds-on to beat Aston Villa at Villa Park but were held 1-1 and only equalised late in the game. They were then brushed aside 3-0 by Man City at home at the weekend.

When the going gets tough the tough allegedly get going and before the year end we’ll get a measure of whether Southampton can stand the heat in the kitchen. After tonight’s game they are at home to Man U and then on the 28th December have the small matter of a home game against Chelsea.

They certainly have struggled against the ‘big boys’ so far this season with defeats against Liverpool and Spurs highlighting that their current league position might give their supporters false hope. Manager Ronald Koeman remains convinced that his side are not feeling the pressure.

If anything though, Southampton are vastly under-priced for their trip to the capital tonight. They have only won two of 37 league games at Arsenal !

Arsenal v Southampton
Premier League
7.45pm BT SPORT

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Sep 2014 Capital One Cup Arsenal 1-2 Southampton
Jan 2014 English Premier Southampton 2-2 Arsenal
Nov 2013 English Premier Arsenal 2-0 Southampton
Jan 2013 English Premier Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
Sep 2012 English Premier Arsenal 6-1 Southampton
Feb 2005 Premiership Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
Oct 2004 Premiership Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
Feb 2004 Premiership Arsenal 2-0 Southampton
Dec 2003 Premiership Southampton 0-1 Arsenal
May 2003 English FA Cup Arsenal 1-0 Southampton

The bet might be the draw with Star Sports at around 13/5. Arsenal’s injury problems (Nacho Monreal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs all doubtful with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Mikel Arteta both still out) combined with giving Southampton the benefit of the doubt sway me to the middle ground.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-50 points)

BACK DRAW at around 13/5 for 6 points with Star Sports

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