Southampton – Arsenal Preview: Kickoff time, Team news, Betting Odds and Live Stream

Southampton vs Arsenal Preview. Photo: Evening Standard

Arsenal face Southampton for the second time in four days as they travel to St. Mary’s Stadium for Tuesday’s Premier League clash. This is the match preview.

Match Preview

Mikel Arteta masterminded Arsenal's record-breaking 14th FA Cup triumph less than seven months into his Emirates tenure, but the Spaniard was forced to witness his below-par team relinquish their crown in the fourth round at St Mary's, according to Sports Mole.co.uk.

There was certainly an element of fortune about Southampton's winner as Kyle Walker-Peters's cross deflected off Gabriel into the Arsenal net, but Ralph Hasenhuttl's compact and well-oiled machine deserved no less than a win on Saturday, and Saints fans will now be licking their lips at the prospect of a memorable cup run.

A morale-boosting win was just what the doctor ordered for a Southampton side who have started to falter in the league, as they can only boast one victory from their last six in the top flight, although that was their historic triumph over Liverpool earlier this month.

Leicester City stamped their authority on Hasenhuttl's side last weekend to leave them 10th in the table - level on points with Chelsea, who have played a game more - but the Saints remain just three points adrift of the top six as the battle for a European berth hots up.

Despite the recent loss of Jannik Vestergaard, Southampton's resolute defense recorded a fourth consecutive home clean sheet in all competitions with Saturday's 1-0 win, and only Manchester City, Liverpool and West Ham United have collected more points on their own patch this season.

Arsenal boss Arteta handed opportunities to several fringe players at St Mary's, but the Gunners were second best throughout much of the tie as their love affair with the FA Cup ended at the second hurdle - for this season at least.

Photo: Sports Mole

The defeat comes as a devastating blow to an Arsenal team who have certainly upped their game in recent weeks, but with Arteta set to recall some of his big-hitters to the lineup on Tuesday, Gooners should be able to enjoy a more assured performance from their side in midweek.

As one of only five teams in the top flight not to have lost any of their last five matches, the Gunners have quashed any faint whispers of relegation and are firmly in the mix for a Europa League spot alongside Southampton - with two points separating the clubs ahead of Tuesday's game.

Arteta has witnessed his crop march to victory in four of their last five Premier League matches - conceding only once in that time - and their tally of 19 league goals shipped is the fourth-lowest in the division.

Victory for Arsenal here would see them temporarily rise above Southampton, Aston Villa and Chelsea into eighth before the latter two teams play on Wednesday, but having already suffered one defeat on the South Coast this season, a rejigged Gunners side must have their wits about them if they are to get their instant revenge.

Team news

Southampton will be without first-choice full-backs Ryan Bertrand and Kyle Walker-Peters for Tuesday's Premier League visit of Arsenal, as reported by Sky Sports.

Bertrand is serving a one-match ban, while Walker-Peters suffered a minor quadriceps injury in training on Monday.

Nathan Redmond is fit enough for the bench following a groin problem, but the game still comes too early for Oriol Romeu (leg), who could return at the weekend, while Will Smallbone (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Arsenal has confirmed captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains unavailable due to "personal family reasons", after pulling out of the squad which lost at Southampton in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Follow Southampton vs Arsenal in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

Southampton's probable Lineup (4-4-2): McCarthy; Valery, Bednarek, Stephens, Vokins; Walcott, Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong; Adams, Ings.

Photo: The Hard Tackle

Arsenal's probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Lacazette.

Photo: Daily Express

Prediction

Southampton 0-1 Arsenal

This is one of those games that is unlikely to have a lot of goalmouth action. The goals have dried up lately for Southampton while Arsenal have not exactly been prolific this season either. On top of that, the Gunners boast a fine defensive record on the road this season in the Premier League, meaning the game is likely to be played out in the middle of the park, noted The Hard Tackle.

To make matters more concerning for Southampton, Ralph Hasenhuttl is down to his bare-bones in terms of squad selection, meaning fatigue could play a part. In the end, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli should combine to make a telling impact, paving the way for a third successive away Premier League win without conceding a goal. We predict a 1-0 win for Mikel Arteta & co.

Betting Odds

Favourable Tips

1. Full-Time Result – Southampton or Draw @ 1.57

Hot Ones

1. Southampton to win @ 3.25

Key Stats

• Southampton have only won one of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Arsenal (D4 L5). However, all seven of the Saints’ wins over Arsenal in the competition have come at St. Mary’s Stadium.

• Arsenal have won four of their last five Premier League games, conceding just once. In fact, the defeat to Southampton last weekend was a first in seven matches in all competitions and saw them concede a goal for the first time in eight hours and 28 minutes.

• Southampton have only won one of their last six Premier League matches (D3 L2). In these fixtures, they have managed to find the back of the net just twice.

• Only Aston Villa and Manchester City have conceded fewer away league goals than Arsenal’s eight this season. However, the Gunners’ tally of 23 league goals is the lowest they have had at the halfway stage of a Premier League season since 1998/99.

• Just three teams have earned more points at home in the Premier League this season than Southampton’s 16. In addition, the Saints’ tally of six home league clean sheets this term is as many as the last two top-flight campaigns combined.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Tuesday 26 January

What Time Is Kick Off? 20:15 (GMT)

Where Is it Played? St. Mary’s Stadium

TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport (UK) fuboTV (USA)

Referee? Kevin Friend

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