Southampton v Arsenal betting preview: Tips, prediction and latest odds for Premier League game
The first Super Sunday game sees Arsenal attempt to continue their unbeaten run as they face Ralph Hasenhuttl's Southampton.
Recommended bets
1pt 20+ booking points each team at 15/8
For advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Southampton v Arsenal (1330 GMT kick-off, Sky Sports Premier League)
Southampton will be looking to get a victory on Ralph Hasenhuttl's first home game as manager and an in-form Arsenal is not an ideal fixture for the Austrian.
The 51-year-old, who replaced Mark Hughes at the St. Mary's helm, can see this match as a bit of a free hit being a top-six opponent, with games against teams around them having more importance. That being said, the south coast side started their new reign under Hasenhuttl with a defeat to Cardiff - not ideal against a fellow side battling relegation.
Hasenhuttl has had a full week on the training ground to get his methods across - and midfielder Oriol Romeu says it has been 'intense' - before facing a manager who is also a recent arrival in England.
Unai Emery took the job as Arsene Wenger's replacement at Arsenal and it is fair to say he has started pretty well.
After a difficult opening two fixtures against Man City and Chelsea, the north Londoners are now on their longest unbeaten run since 2007 - with Thursday's Europa League win extending that to 22 matches.
The Spaniard is getting his methods across, as his team comes together nicely and midfielder Lucas Torreira in particular is proving to be a real find.
After beating Tottenham and then holding Man United to a draw, they face another type of test, where every point matters for the Saints.
Betting guide
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal (Sky Bet odds: 13/2)
The hosts can make the most of the Gunners' injury problems in defence to earn a first point under Hasenhuttl. The north Londoners' long unbeaten run should continue while Southampton's wait for a second Premier League win could be extended to 13 outings. They held Man United to a draw on home soil two weeks ago and this would be another great point for them.
Best bet: 20+ booking points each team at 15/8
Southampton now sit joint top of the disciplinary charts after receiving 33 yellows and a red in total this season. Arsenal are fourth with 32 and in a match with high intensity and a makeshift visiting defence, the tackles could go flying in and at least two bookings for both teams is not much to ask at this price.
Goals: Stuart Armstrong to score anytime at 7/2
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been scoring with nearly every shot of late and he is around evens anytime but a Southampton player that could get on the score sheet is Stuart Armstrong. The Scottish midfielder netted last time out at St Mary's, in the draw with Man United, after his classy double against Fulham. He likes to get forward and offer support to Charlie Austin, has had eight shots in his last five appearances and was unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty in Cardiff.
RequestABet: BTTS, over 20+ booking points each team and 10+ total corners at 11/2
Opta facts and statistics
- Southampton are winless in their last four games against Arsenal in all competitions (D1 L3), since a 2-0 victory in the League Cup quarter-final in November 2016.
- Arsenal have lost just two of their last 17 games against Southampton in the Premier League (W9 D6), with both of those defeats coming in 2015 with Ronald Koeman in charge of the Saints.
- Among teams they have faced at least five times in the Premier League, Southampton’s win percentage against Arsenal is their lowest against any opponent in competition history (15.8% - 38 games, six wins).
- Arsenal have won only one of their last seven away games against Southampton in the Premier League (D4 L2), with that lone victory coming in May 2017 (2-0).
- Southampton are winless in their last 14 matches in all competitions – only once have they ever had a longer run (20 games in March 1989).
- Arsenal have scored at least twice in their last seven away Premier League games – only once in the top-flight have they had a longer such run (9 between April-October 1930).
- Arsenal have lost just one of their last 37 Premier League games against sides starting the day in the relegation zone (W30 D6 L1), losing 1-3 at Swansea in January.
- Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl lost his first Premier League game in charge. The last time a manager’s first ever Premier League win came against Arsenal was in August 2015 (Slaven Bilic).
- Southampton’s Charlie Austin has scored in all four of his Premier League games against Arsenal. Only Raheem Sterling versus Bournemouth (6 games) has a better 100% record of scoring against a specific opponent in Premier League history.
- Arsenal boss Unai Emery has made more substitutions before the start of the second half of Premier League games than any other manager this season (14). The Gunners have also had their substitutes score a league-high eight goals in 2018-19.
Click the image below to get the goals, cards and corner statistics to assist you with your bets this weekend...
Odds correct as of 1600 GMT on 14/12/18