Prediction and odds for the game: Southampton (8/5) v Arsenal (13/8)

We are backing the home win

When: Thursday, 25th June 2020, Kick-off 18:00

Where: St Marys Stadium

On Thursday evening, Southampton host Arsenal at St Marys in the Premier League, as both teams look to move up the top-flight table.

Southampton

The Saints look to now be safe from the spectre of being sucked into the relegation battle. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team are ten points clear of the drop zone, with just league games to go.

The team from the south coast recorded a 3-0 win at Norwich in their first game after the restart. The win was much needed, as they had lost four of their previous five matches in the Premier League.

The Saints recent league matches have been relatively high-scoring, as there have been two or more goals scored in eight of their last nine games.

The home side has an inconsistent recent home record in the Premier League, having won just two of their previous six matches on home soil. The fact that Southampton have kept just two clean sheets in their last 15 home games in the Premier League has not helped their chances of picking up results at St Marys.

The Saints have a poor recent record against the Gunners, recording just one win in their last seven meetings with the team from north London.

Arsenal

The Gunners have made a poor return after the break, suffering back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and Arsenal. The 2-1 defeat against Brighton last time out was particularly disappointing, considering the Seagulls are struggling.

The poor results were also disappointing as Mikel Arteta’s team had embarked on an eight-game unbeaten run before the break. The Gunners will be hopeful of a return to winning ways on the south coast.

Their recent games in the English top-flight have been relatively high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five league games producing over 2.5 goals.

To say Arsenal were travel sick would be a massive understatement, as the Gunners have won just one of their last 14 league matches on their travels. Arteta’s team also heads into this match on the back of a run of seven away games in the top-flight without a victory.

A poor defensive record has been a big factor in those recent away matches, as they have kept just two clean sheets in their previous 14 games on their travels in top-flight.

Conclusion

Southampton will have been majorly boosted by the 3-0 win at Norwich last time out, while Arsenal have looked a mess since the restart. We are taking a punt on the home win, while also backing over 2.5 goals scored, as neither defence has exactly thrived of late.

Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 8/5 and/or over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 4/5. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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