Arsenal v Southampton Betting Preview – EFL Cup 30th November
An all-Premier League showdown for a place in the semi finals of the EFL Cup. The clubs are in touching distance of a piece of silverware. For the Gunners they will be looking to extend their great run of form this season but boss Wenger may risk resting a few players for this one still. Southampton, like the Gunners have had a busy schedule this season as they have been battling along in the Europa League and that is something which has taken a bit of a toll on their overall home form. The Saints have already suffered one loss at the Emirates this season, can they go out and pull off an unexpected victory?
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Arsenal v Southampton Betting Tips
So these two have already met at the Emirates this season when they squared off in the league. That game, back at the start of September, saw the Gunners run out 2-1 winners over the Saints. That has left the Gunners unbeaten in their last three home fixtures now against Southampton (W2 D1) but their last home defeat against the Saints did happen to come in the League Cup back in 2014. There has to be a temptation for Arsene Wenger to rest some players for this one, or will he see the finish line as being too close and push hard for it? So far Arsenal have seen off Nottingham Forest and Reading so far in the EFL Cup and this one against the saints gives them their sternest challenge so far. Arsenal have remained unbeaten since losing their season opener against Liverpool but they have slipped to three draws in their last four games played in all competitions. What does that tell us? That they are not watertight at the back at the moment.
Arsenal actually haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last six games played now in all competitions. Both teams to score at Sky Bet in this EFL Cup fixture is a price of 4/6 and if you are considering a repeat 2-1 scoreline from the Premier League meeting at the Emirates this season, then you have an option of 7/1 on that the bookmaker. The Gunners have actually struggled for goals against the Saints recently, having scored in just one of their last three against them. At Sky Bet going under 2.5 goals will return a price of 11/10 which may be a tempter for punters. In the anytime goalscorer market Arsenal have great options in Oliver Giroud at 20/21 and Alexis Sanchez at 3/2. Arsenal have produced a massively strong record of W7 D3 L1 at the Emirates all season across and are unbeaten in their last ten there. So will they be able to get the balance right and move through to the semi finals of the cup?
Southampton took a 1-0 home win over Everton on the weekend and they totally dominated that game. Charlie Austin scored early in the game and the Saints cruised to the three points and Austin is a 7/4 shot in the anytime goalscorer market for the game at Arsenal on Wednesday. Make no mistake, Southampton can look a good side, but they have also produced some patchy form this season. For example over their last eight games they have only gone W2 D2 L3 across all competitions and a lot of that lies in the draining Europa League fixtures on a Thursday night they have had to deal with. It should be noted that most of their issues have happened away from home where they have gone W1 D3 L5 record all season. The Saints have only managed the two goals in their last six as well away from home. So they have been falling short on the road this season and that’s not something to get excited about when going to a good home side like Arsenal. The Saints will scrap, but will they have enough?
Arsenal v Southampton Betting Odds
Arsenal 5/6, Draw 29/10, Southampton 7/2
Arsenal v Southampton Predictions
You would have to take a shot on the Gunners moving through in this one. Southampton as good as a side as they can be, just haven’t produced the goods out on the road this season to warrant backing to come through this one with a victory. So instead look for Arsenal to come through this test, but it will probably tight so look for the Gunners to edge it just by the one goal margin and no more.
