Will the Saints remain a welcome guest?

Diverse German-speaking coaches are currently under contract in the Premier League. While Thomas Tuchel, Jürgen Klopp and Ralf Rangnick all have their sights set on the top flight, the only Austrian in the group, Ralph Hasenhüttl, is a little different. The former Leipzig man in the service of Southampton Football Club will have to bake smaller rolls again in 2021/22.

Currently, his Saints are only 16th in the table. None of the last four league games could be played successfully. The form curve is pointing downwards and especially the defence, which worked well at the beginning of the season, is in a slump. That is one of the reasons why Arsenal are clear favourites against Southampton on Saturday afternoon, according to the odds, in the matchday 16 match, which kicks off at 4:00 p.m. German time at the Emirates Stadium.

By the way, the said kick-off time suits the Gunners exorbitantly well. The capital club have not lost in 27 home games kicked off on a Saturday afternoon in the Premier League. 22 wins compare to five draws. Once again, we’re certainly not going out on a limb with a prediction on the home side in the Arsenal vs Southampton clash.

Arsenal – Statistics & current form

At Arsenal Football Club there is something like confidence again. After a few unsuccessful years and missing out on the European Cup for the first time in decades, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the Gunners are back in the top third of the table and, on the other hand, have numerous youngsters at their disposal who have recently developed positively under coach Arteta.

With caution and the necessary humility, it must nevertheless be stated that the two most recent results were less than satisfactory. At Manchester United (2:3) and at Everton (1:2) there were both narrow defeats that did not have to be. At the same time, however, it became clear once again that the capital club is much stronger at home than away.

Arsenal are developing into a power at home

This is also underlined by their remarkable home record, which stands at five wins, one draw and only one defeat after seven games at the Emirates Stadium. Only Tottenham have more points at home, but they have also played one game more. The last three home games were all won, twice in a row there was even a clean sheet. In view of these strong results at home, our first betting option between Arsenal and Southampton is a three-goal win for Arteta’s team.

The fact that they have not lost any of their last 26 league home games against their upcoming opponents also speaks in favour of the Gunners. Only against Manchester City (27 games between 1976 and 2012) and Fulham (also 27 games) do Arsenal have an even longer series without a defeat at home. In terms of personnel, things are also looking good, especially after Xhaka returned to the squad the previous week. Now Emil Smith-Rowe is also expected back, so coach Arteta is hopeful going into the home game against the southerners.

Predicted Arsenal line-up:
Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang

Last matches played by Arsenal:

Premier League
12/06 2021 – Everton 2 – 1 Arsenal London

12/02 2021 – Manchester United 3 – 2 Arsenal London

11/27 2021 – Arsenal London 2 – 0 Newcastle United

11/20 2021 – Liverpool FC 4 – 0 Arsenal London

11/07 2021 – Arsenal London 1 – 0 Watford

Southampton – Statistics & current form

Ralph Hasenhüttl is not to be envied for his task at Southampton Football Club at the moment. Especially the tight personnel situation makes the Austrian coach sweat.

Stuart Armstrong, Jan Bednarek, Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy are all currently unavailable due to injury, meaning that 40-year-old Willy Caballero, actually the third keeper, will make his unplanned debut for the Saints between the posts this weekend. To make matters worse, Romeu and Salisu, two other potential performers, are both missing through suspension.

Away weakness and personnel situation causes problems

For this reason, among others, it is absolutely understandable that far higher odds are offered on the away win between Arsenal and Southampton. Another reason is buried in the away weakness: There have already been 14 Premier League defeats away from home in the 2021 calendar year; the most since 2004 (15). 47 away goals conceded in the English top flight even represent the highest figure in retrospect over the last 30 years.

In the current season, too, the difficulties in opposing stadiums have not changed much. Eleven of the Saints’ 16 points have come at home. Away from home, on the other hand, there was only one win, two draws and four defeats. Fewer goals scored and exactly three times as many goals conceded compared to the home games underline our thesis and lead to the conclusion that betting on the visiting team from the south of England is more than risky.

Their current form should also be a thorn in the side of those responsible. None of the last four league games was won. Nine goals conceded in the course of this winless streak are another argument why we see the Gunners as relatively clear favourites in their current form.

Predicted Southampton line-up:
Caballero; Livramento, Lyanco, Stephens, Walker-Peters; Redmond, Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Elyounoussi; A. Armstrong, Broja

Last matches played by Southampton:

Premier League
12/04 2021 – Southampton 1 – 1 Brighton

12/01 2021 – Southampton 2 – 2 Leicester

11/27 2021 – Liverpool FC 4 – 0 Southampton

11/20 2021 – Norwich 2 – 1 Southampton

11/05 2021 – Southampton 1 – 0 Aston Villa

Arsenal – Southampton Direct comparison / H2H record

This is the 89th time that Arsenal and Southampton have met in England’s top flight. The Saints have only come out on top 19 times. The Gunners, meanwhile, have 44 wins, 27 of them at home. The Londoners have not lost any of their last 26 league home games against Southampton. Southampton’s last success dates back to 2018. Looking back at the most recent five meetings, there are three Arsenal victories and two draws in the annals.

Arsenal – Southampton Tip

In the English Premier League, it comes to the coaching duel Mikel Arteta vs. Ralph Hasenhüttl on Saturday afternoon. In his tenure so far, the Austrian has never been able to defeat his Spanish colleague in the country’s top division. There is much to suggest that this will not change on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners are in good shape and can be quite satisfied with their season so far, despite two defeats in a row. Especially in front of the home crowd, their record of five wins in seven games is very impressive. The home strength derived from this is our most important argument to justify the betting odds on the Londoners between Arsenal and Southampton.

We therefore even dispense with any addition and decide to bet on the home win in the match between Arsenal and Southampton. This is quoted at Unibet with a 1.70 in the top. Six units is a reasonable bet, although we can also imagine that the Arteta team will win by at least two goals. If you also have confidence in the Saints, you can bet on the “Both score” betting market