Prediction: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 3/17
Bookmaker: 888sport
The Premier League is back once again this weekend with a handful of fascinating fixtures to pick through. While there are a few postponements due to the FA Cup, there are still plenty of games that have the potential to alter the trajectory of the run-in. One of those will take place on Friday night, as league leaders Arsenal prepare to lock horns with bottom of the table Southampton.
Arsenal
Arsenal Football Club are on the verge of winning their first league title in nearly 20 years. While their fate is in their own hands, there remains one big problem: Manchester City. The reigning champions are chasing them down with the kind of fury that we’ve come to expect from Pep Guardiola’s men. The Gunners know they have to remain focused, and Mikel Arteta will do all he can to pull off the ‘miracle’.
Team News
Elneny, Tomiyasu and Saliba are all set to miss out through injury with Zinchenko hoping to return following a muscle problem.
Southampton
Following an 11-year stay in the Premier League, Southampton are in real trouble. The Saints are rooted to the bottom of the table and right now, there isn’t much hope within the fanbase that they’ll be able to stay up. They’ve certainly got enough quality in their ranks to make it happen and a few fixtures here and there that could be seen as favourable, but they’ll need to dig deeper than they have done all season.
Team News
Larios, Livramento, Salisu and Orsic are injured, Maitland-Niles can’t play against his parent club and Adams is hoping to return from a calf problem.
Factors to Consider
- In their last meeting back in October, Southampton and Arsenal drew 1-1.
- Arsenal have won three and drawn three of their last six games.
- Southampton have drawn two and lost four of their last six games.
- Arsenal have scored 16 goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
- Southampton have scored four goals and conceded 12 in their last six games.
Conclusion
There’s always a chance of an upset in a league like this and anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves. With that being said, there really is a stark gulf in quality between these two teams, and the fact that the game is taking place at the Emirates makes it even more of an uphill climb for the visitors. There will be a handful of competitive moments, but ultimately, Arsenal will run away with it.
Prediction: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 3/17
Bookmaker: 888sport
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