Arsenal vs Southampton Prediction, Odds, Lineups

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook on April 20.

Arsenal vs Southampton Over/Under and Spread

With the benchmark set at 3.5 goals, the bookies have listed the under at -155 and the over at a more tempting +125. Based on the fact that Arsenal games have averaged 3.4 goals and Saints are bottom, this is worth considering.

Arsenal vs Southampton Preview

Two draws in their last two games have slowed down Arsenal’s title charge and with seven games to go their lead over Man City is down to just four points, with City also having a game in hand. To add to the potential drama, Arsenal head to the Etihad next Wednesday for what may well be a title decider.

Mikel Arteta’s men, while no doubt gutted that they have dropped four points in their last two games, will also know that both games were there for the taking after they made blistering starts in both. Against Liverpool and West Ham – both away from home – the Gunners went flying out of the blocks to take 2-0 leads only to be pegged back.

Big Test for Arteta’s Men

As a result, doubts have been cast over the mental toughness of Arteta’s men who can now ill afford any more slips ups and will likely have to go to the Etihad and win in order to give themselves a chance of claiming their first title since 2003-04.

But, the Gunners have had difficult moments so far in this title charge and managed to overcome them, and will consider a visit by bottom-of-the-table Southampton as the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways.

Managerial Merry-Go-Round at Southampton

For the Saints of Southampton, this season is slowly turning into a nightmare. They have won just two of their last ten and after losing 2-0 at home to fellow strugglers Crystal Palace at the weekend, they are now marooned at the bottom of the table, two points adrift of 19th-placed Leicester City and four behind 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.

The Saints’ board’s decision to replace head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl backfired as his replacement Nathan Jones lasted just 94 days before he too was replaced by Spaniard, Ruben Selles, whose contract now takes him through to the end of the season. Selles’ first game in charge was an impressive win over Chelsea but it’s been downhill ever since.

Goals in Short Supply For Saints

Goals have been very hard to come by for the Saints all season, with just 24 in their 31 games – the joint worst in the EPL alongside Everton and Nottingham Forest.

On that basis, it’s hard to see them making too much impression against an Arsenal defense that has conceded less than a goal a game, although the Gunners are currently missing William Saliba, which may offer Southampton a faint glimmer of hope.

Arsenal vs Southampton Team Lineups and Injuries

Arsenal Projected Lineup: Ramsdale, Tierney, Gabriel, Holding, White, Ødegaard, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.

Injuries & absences: Tomiyasu, Saliba, Zinchenko, Elneny.

Southampton Projected Lineup: Bazunu, Perraud, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters, Djenepo, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Sulemana, Alcaraz, Adams.

Injuries & absences: Salisu, Orsic, Livramento, Larios.

Arsenal vs Southampton Head-to-Head Stats

Arsenal vs Southampton Prediction

The only scenario here where the Saints can get a result appears to be them grabbing an early goal and then defending for all their worth to withstand the Gunners’ onslaught – but it feels unlikely. With so much on the line, Arteta’s men have to find a way.

With there being little value in predicting the home win, for me, the value lies with predicting over 3.5 goals as the Gunners get their title challenge back on track.

Arsenal vs Southampton Picks: Over 3.5 goals (+125)