Against All Odds: Have faith in The Saints

Tonight's match is live on TV

Arsenal travel to Southampton tonight on the back of a 7-3 thumping of Newcastle but they look very shaky at the back and Paul Robinson thinks they have to be opposed at odds-on away from home.

Happy new year everybody, I hope you don't feel as hungover as I do!

Southampton have slipped back into the relegation zone after failing to win any of their last three matches, but they do at least have a game in hand over their rivals. The Saints disappointed in their last appearance at St Mary's, but they seem to have put that behind them by earning draws in tricky away games at Fulham and Stoke.  

After a shaky start to their campaign, Nigel Adkins' men have become much more solid, especially at home. The defeat last time to Sunderland was only their second in eight, and they beat Aston Villa, Newcastle and Reading during that period.

Arsenal have climbed to fifth after winning their last four matches and while they are three points behind arch rivals, Spurs, they do at least have a game in hand. They beat Newcastle 7-3 last time out but the scoreline flatters them greatly and Arsene Wenger should have concerns about his defence.

The Gunners have shipped 15 goals in their last 10 Premier League fixtures and the ease at which Newcastle scored three times on Saturday was frightening. Away from the Emirates, Arsenal have won their last two, but they were against two woefully out of form teams in Reading and Wigan, and before that they'd gone four without victory.

Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are returning to their old club this evening and while I'd have them as marginal favourites to have a happy return, they are too short at around the 1.834/5 mark and that's why I'm making them my lay of the day.  

Recommended Bet
Lay Arsenal v Southampton @ 1.834/5