Arsenal vs. Southampton Preview
Where: Emirates Stadium – London, England
When: Saturday, September 10, 10:00 AM ET
Line: Arsenal -207 vs. Southampton +448, tie +295; total 2.5 – view all EPL soccer lines
TV Broadcast: NBCSN
Writer’s Pick: Arsenal (-207)
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Betting on Arsenal (-207)
Thankfully, stars Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez look back to their best. The two both scored as they led the Gunners to their first victory of the season last time out in a 3-1 away win at Watford. Olivier Giroud, last year’s leading scorer with 16 goals, should also be in the running for his first start of the season.
Arsenal are also set to welcome in some much-needed defensive reinforcements in the form of new signing Shkodran Mustafi. The 24-year-old, who started a few games for Germany at the Euros, should be an upgrade over 20-year-old Rob Holding at the heart of the Gunners defense. Mustafi should have a relatively easy first assignment as he faces a Southampton strikeforce that his hardly the most threatening at the moment.
Arsenal have a terrific home record against Southampton in the Premier League. They haven’t lost to the Saints at home since 1987.
Betting on Southampton (+448)
Southampton are still searching for their first victory in the Claude Puel era. The Saints have drawn both of their home games against inferior opposition (Watford and Sunderland) and lost 2-0 at Manchester United in between.
Goals have been hard to come by for the Saints, who lost top scorers Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane over the summer. Summer signing Nathan Redmond is playing up top as a striker, but he’s not really a natural finisher. The return of Jay Rodriguez, who scored their equalizer against Sunderland, will provide a much-needed option.
Defense is the one part of the team that has remained solid under Puel, though. They managed to keep hold of captain Jose Fonte amid transfer rumblings. He and Virgil van Dijk form one of the better central defensive partnerships in the league.
Oriol Romeu provides a capable midfield shield, while Pierre Hojbjerg and Steven Davis are solid defensive contributors in their midfield diamond. Starting left-back Ryan Bertrand is also set to make his return to the starting line-up.
The Saints are certainly no strangers to producing fine defensive performances against Arsenal. They have kept a clean sheet against the Gunners in each of their last three meetings Premier League meetings.
Writer’s Prediction
Arsenal (-207) finally find a way past the Southampton defense and score a comfortable 2-0 home win.
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