English Premier
2012-09-15 - Arsenal vs Southampton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 15 September 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Arsenal
After a couple of goalless draws, there were some out there sharpening their knives for Arsene Wenger again, but a comfortable win at Liverpool in their final game before the international break has set Arsenal on the right path. The defence has been very impressive under the tutelage of Steve Bould and they will be looking for further points in this one before the Champions League begins and their trip to Manchester City a week on Sunday.
The 5 points picked up by the Gunners moved them up to 8th in the Premier League table and keeps them more than in touch with Chelsea at the top of the table. More impressive is the 3 clean sheets they have kept in their opening games, although they will be hoping to get Olivier Giroud off the mark after he missed a couple of very good opportunities in two separate games.
Arsenal have actually failed to win any of their last 4 games at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League, the last 3 all ending in draws and they have failed to score in 2 of those games. However, the team had won 7 straight games in all competitions at home before that run and it is only a matter of time before they get back to winning games here.
Wojciech Szczesny missed a couple of games for Arsenal before the break and he is expected back for this one. Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshire will be missing, but Tomas Rosicky could return to the squad.
Southampton
I don't know how Southampton felt that the international break came when it did- either they are happy to get a chance to re-group or they really wanted to get back on the field following a late loss to Manchester United at St Mary's.
It hasn't been the easiest fixture list to negotiate for Nigel Adkins and his men as they faced both Manchester clubs, although the home loss to Wigan Athletic would be more concerning for their long-term hopes in this League. Southampton are the only side in the League yet to pick up a point this season having lost their 3 games, but they did win a game at Stevenage in the Capital One Cup.
The concern for Southampton has to be the fact they have conceded at least 2 goals in each of their 3 Premier League games, including that 2-3 loss to Manchester United before the international break. The Saints have won 7 and lost 3 of their last 10 away games in all competitions, but the Premier League is a sharp increase of competition to most of those games.
Steve de Ridder is back in the squad for this game and Jack Cork could also return to give Nigel Adkins a full squad to choose from.
Head to Head
This will actually be the first time that Southampton have played at the Emirates Stadium as they were relegated in Highbury's final season as being the home stadium for Arsenal.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 17 home games against Southampton, although the last game here finished 2-2.
The Gunners have won 4 of their last 6 home games against Southampton.
Prediction
Despite Arsenal failing to score in 2 of their first 3 Premier League games, it was clear that they were creating chances in those games and it was only a matter of time before they started putting them away. They could have scored more than the 2 goals they got against Liverpool in their last game and I think they will get chances against this Southampton team.
The defence has also been very impressive in their organisation in the first 3 games and a lot of credit has to go to Steve Bould on that front. They kept Stoke at arm's length in that away game, although Southampton have shown some attacking qualities in their 3 games including against both of the Manchester clubs.
My biggest concern here is that Arsenal have their first Champions League game on Tuesday night and may take their foot off the pedal in this game to ensure their fitness for Tuesday.
However, I think Arsene Wenger will demand his side put this game to bed before turning their thoughts to Montpellier in the Champions League and I really like their chances to get amongst the goals in this one and cover the Asian Handicap.
Arsenal to win by at least 2 goals is a better price than them scoring at least 3 goals in the game and I just think with their better defensive shape, they will be able to do so.
The Statistics :
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pick :
Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
