Southampton vs Arsenal - Premier League preview: How to watch on TV, live stream & prediction

Arsenal and Southampton meet for the second time in four days at St Mary's on Tuesday night, this time in the Premier League.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's Saints eliminated the FA Cup holders at the fourth round stage on Saturday after Gabriel's first-half own goal proved to be decisive.

Southampton celebrate Gabriel's first-half own goal / Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Mikel Arteta made seven changes to the side that beat Newcastle United earlier in the week and following his decision to do so, which has seen him receive criticism from some of the Arsenal faithful, he'll be looking to justify those choices by masterminding a Gunners victory with some of his rested stars leading the charge.

If Saturday's game and the meeting at the Emirates Stadium back in December (a 1-1 draw) is anything to go by, this encounter is likely to be a close affair. Here is 90min's preview of the fixture in which Arsenal are expected to make multiple changes...

Where to watch

The fixture will take place at an empty St. Mary's under the lights / Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 20.15 (GMT)
Where is it being played? St Mary's
TV Channel? BT Sport 1 (UK)
Referee: Kevin Friend
VAR: Robert Jones

Team news

Tuesday might prove too soon for Aubameyang's return / Visionhaus/Getty Images

Southampton are still without Jannik Vestergaard, Moussa Djenepo, Mohammed Salisu, Nathan Redmond and Oriol Romeu. while Kyle Walker-Peters is now also unavailable due to injury and Ryan Bertrand is suspended. Alex McCarthy could return in goal.

Arsenal could still be without their captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who had to deal with a personal matter over the weekend. Dani Ceballos remains a doubt and Pablo Mari is still not fit enough to return to the side.

Predicted lineups

Southampton: (4-4-2): McCarthy; Valery, Bednarek, Stephens, Vokins; Walcott, Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong; Ings, Adams.

Arsenal: (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Smith Rowe, Saka, Martinelli; Lacazette.

Recent form

The #EmiratesFACup holders are beaten by #SaintsFC ? pic.twitter.com/DWP3bUVHqv
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 23, 2021

Southampton

Southampton 1-0 Arsenal - FA Cup - 23/1
Southampton 2-0 Shrewsbury Town - FA Cup - 19/1
Leicester City 2-0 Southampton - Premier League - 16/1
Southampton 1-0 Liverpool - Premier League - 4/1
Southampton 0-0 West Ham - Premier League - 29/12

Arsenal

Southampton 1-0 Arsenal - FA Cup - 23/1
Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United - Premier League - 18/1
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace - Premier League -14/1
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle United (AET) - FA Cup - 9/1
West Brom 0-4 Arsenal - Premier League - 2/1

Prediction

Arteta can't afford to lose to Southampton again / Pool/Getty Images

The pressure will undoubtedly be on the Arsenal boss if, the Gunners fail to earn a result at Southampton after rotating at the weekend.

As for the Saints, they are currently two points ahead of Arsenal in having played a game fewer, and they will be looking to increase that deficit further, closing the gap on the top six. However, given Hasenhuttl's side have a lengthy list of absentees and are unable to make as many changes, fatigue could play a serious part in the outcome of this one.

The returns of Bukayo Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey to the starting XI are likely to elevate Arsenal's level significantly and so it's fair to say they stand a greater chance of putting on an improved display on Tuesday night.

Prediction: Southampton 0-1 Arsenal

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