by Ian S. Palmer
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One of the most attractive English Premier League round-24 matchups features Arsenal hosting Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday, February 2. The Gunners are still trying to climb up the table until they reach the number one spot, which is currently owned by Leicester City. Southampton is out of the title race this season, but still has a slim chance of fighting for a top-four finish and a spot in the European Champions League. However, they’ll do well if they can qualify for a berth in the 2016/17 Europa League instead. Arsenal is coming off of a big 2-1 home win over second-tier Championship League side Derby County in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, while Southampton had the weekend off.
Arsenal vs Southampton – Pinnacle SOCCER BETTING LINE:
- Pinnacle currently lists Arsenal as the favorites at -114 with Southampton +382 and a draw at +258
Arsenal vs Southampton – Head to Head:
- Southampton thumped the Gunners 4-0 back on Boxing Day and won 2-0 at home in their league clash last season. However, Arsenal were 1-0 winners at the Emirates last campaign. Overall, these two sides have met 88 times in the past with Arsenal winning 45, losing 19 and drawing the other 24. Southampton has just three wins in their last 14 meetings in all competitions and all of these have come in the last four encounters. Southampton has just one win in their past 21 visits to Arsenal, but the London side has a lone victory in their past five meetings against the Saints in all competitions. Arsenal have scored a goal during the final five minutes of the match in their past five league matches at home against Southampton.
The Saints enter the match in eighth place with 33 points from nine wins, six draws and eight losses. They’ve scored 32 goals and allowed 24 against, with just three being conceded in their four January matches. They’ve played 11 games on the road with three victories, four draws and four defeats with 10 goals scored and 11 allowed. They have two and four losses in their last six away outings. Southampton has recorded four clean sheets on the road so far this campaign and has also failed to score on four occasions. Overall, they have nine clean sheets and have been shut out seven times.
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The Gunners are sitting in third place with 44 points and are three back of first-place Leicester City. They’re actually tied for second spot with Manchester City, but have an inferior goal difference. Arsenal heads into the contest with 13 wins, five draws and five losses on the season with 37 goals for and 22 against. At home, Arsenal has won seven of their 11 contests while drawing two and losing two. They’ve scored 16 times at home and have allowed seven against. When it comes to clean sheets, they’ve registered five of them at the Emirates have been shut out three times themselves. Overall, Arsenal has 10 clean sheets to their name and failed to score in six of their fixtures. They have four wins, a draw and a loss in their last half dozen home games.
Arsenal has just a pair of points in their past three league matches and have been shut out in their last two. Southampton has won three straight contests and didn’t allow a goal in any of them. Their last away game ended in a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford and they added some scoring depth to the squad by signing English striker Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers of the English Championship League. Arsenal still has a few injury problems and the team is expected to be without midfielders Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky as well as forward Danny Welbeck. Southampton will likely be without midfielders Jay Rodriguez and Gaston Ramirez as well as defender Florin Gardos.
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