Southampton v Arsenal – St Mary’s at 17:30 live on BT Sport 2
On Saturday the Saints host Arsenal in the FA Cup 4th round, which is the focus of my latest Asian Handicap preview.
Southampton have been playing some nice football recently, but I think Arsenal will get the victory and progress to the 5th round relatively comfortably.
Southampton
The Saints lost to Spurs, West Brom and Everton over the festive period and conceded 9 goals in the process.
However since then, the home side have been on the up and have only lost 1 of their last 6 games across all competitions.
Mid-week Southampton knocked Liverpool out of the EFL Cup to make the final of the competition, with a 1-0 victory at Anfield (2-0 on aggregate).
Claude Puel’s side have won their last 3 games at St Mary’s and look secure in the Premier League table (11th).
They’ve kept clean sheets in their last 3 home matches, although Virgil Van Dijk will miss out with an ankle injury.
Arsenal
Last weekend Arsenal beat Burnley 2-1 in a dramatic Premier League encounter. Alexis Sanchez scored a last minute penalty to take all 3 points and keep them in the title race.
At home, Arsenal remain unbeaten since the opening day of the Premier League season and they’ve won 8 and drawn 2 of their 10 matches since then.
The Gunners are now 2nd in the Premier League table, but remain 8 points off league leaders Chelsea.
Despite Arsenal’s good form, they have only kept 7 clean sheets in the Premier League all season. As a result, 68% of Arsenal’s matches have had over 2.5 goals scored in total.
Olivier Giroud has scored 5 goals in his last 6 matches and Sanchez has scored a goal in each of his last 3 games.
The Gunners are undefeated in their last 2 away games, which includes a 4-0 thrashing of Swansea.
Asian Handicap Prices
Last season Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage by Watford and Wenger will be looking to avoid another early exit.
The absence of Van Dijk could prove costly for The Saints, especially with Arsenal’s attack looking strong.
Arsenal have scored 11 goals in their last 4 games and despite Southampton’s impressive home form, I think Arsenal look value -0.25 on the Asian Handicap market at 1.83.
Asian Handicap Recommendation: Arsenal -0.25 @ 1.83
Prices correct at time of writing.
By @tashason21
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