Southampton v Arsenal: Match preview & predicted line ups

The final game on Boxing Day in the Premier League is at St Mary’s, as Southampton side who are sliding down the table try to stop the forward momentum of title chasers Arsenal.
The Saints are down in 12th, and Ronaldo Koeman’s side are in a rut. They’ve lost five of their last six matches (the draw was an unimpressive 1-1 stalemate with Aston Villa), with an aggregate scoreline of 14-3.
That’s relegation form, and the dark clouds around Southampton aren’t helped by the fact the after the Arsenal match, they face two tough away trips at West Ham and Norwich.

So how can Southampton bounce back against Arsenal?
In all likelihood, Southampton’s best chance of scoring against the Gunners will be from set plays and quick counter attacks. Virgil van Dijk will be a threat from dead balls, while the Saints will look to launch swift counters through Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle.
Southampton also need Victor Wanyama to have a big match. Sat in the heart of the pitch, Wanyama needs to close down Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey if the Saints are to have success.
The hosts may also be boosted by the return of Maarten Stekelenburg in goal.
As for Arsenal, Wenger’s side travel to St Mary’s looking for a fourth successive league victory, although they’ll once again be without Santi Cazorla (knee), Alexis Sanchez (hamstring) and Jack Wilshere (calf) on Boxing Day.
The Gunners have seen their back-ups come to the fore in recent weeks. Joel Campbell has worked his socks off on the right hand side, while Mathieu Flamini has battled in midfield. Those players will again be key, along with Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud (5 goals in 6 games) who both seem in good scoring form right now.
It’s hard seeing past an Arsenal win.
The Gunners have only lost once in 11 league games and they’ve conceded 14 goals all season – the joint fewest in the top flight. Moreover, against the Saints, Arsenal have lost just one of their last 11 league games.
Two more points.
Arsenal have won 38 Premier League points away from home in 2015, which is the most the league. And Arsenal have only ever lost once on Boxing Day in the Premier League era.


Southampton predicted XI: Stekelenburg, Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Classie, Wanyama, Davis, Mane, Tadic, Pelle.
Arsenal predicted XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Ramsey, Campbell, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott.
Offer for new Paddy Power customers: 7/1 Arsenal to win

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