Arsenal v Southampton Betting Tips

This match is arguably the most competitive of the EFL League Cup matches this week and we could be in for a gripping encounter. However, whilst these two are good sides we are likely to see weakened line-ups on Tuesday night. Having said that, this duo probably have the two best academies in the country so it could be an opportunity to see new, young talent.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was really the pioneer of fielding young players in the League Cup a few years ago and, from a purist standpoint, he has had a big hand in demeaning this competition.

The Gunners are doing pretty well in the Premier League and have still not lost since opening day, however, a recent run of draws (three in their last five) means Arsenal occupy fourth spot – an unambitious favourite of theirs over the years.

Whilst they are doing well in the league and indeed won against Bournemouth on Saturday, we cannot compare their league form to the cup due to the much-changed teams fielded in both competitions.

The North London side have so far been convincing in the League Cup and have won both of their matches to nil. First dismantling Nottingham Forest 4-0 at the City Ground before comfortably overcoming Reading 2-0 at home.

This will be the first time Arsenal have faced Premier League opposition in the League Cup this season and it will be interesting to see how the young and inexperienced squad handle the occasion – particularly given that they do not play together regularly and this team will likely be cobbled together.

Southampton have been a bit of a mixed bag in recent weeks, they lost against relegation-threatened Hull City but then managed to secure a draw and a win against Merseyside duo Liverpool and Everton in the last couple of weeks – not conceding a goal in either match.

Manager Claude Puel is fortunate to be able to call on a number of talented prospects from the Saints academy who have already played a decent amount of first team football and he will no doubt do so for the trip to the Emirates. The south coast side have done well in the League Cup this season and have already knocked out fellow Premier League sides in their first two matches against Crystal Palace and Sunderland. Of course these two victories were at home against sides struggling near the foot of the Premier League so a match on the road to a better team (even if it is weakened) will be a new challenge entirely.

However, it is worth noting that even these weakened Southampton sides are also excellent in defence (just like the Premier League line-up) and they are still yet to concede a goal in this season’s League Cup.

Much like any other League Cup match, this fixture is very difficult to call. Both of these teams will no doubt weaken their squads but, having said that, they will still field very talented footballers.

I think Southampton’s excellent defensive record could have a big say here and so I would certainly advise looking at ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ at 13/10. This bet would have won in both of The Saints’ previous League Cup matches this season and I really fancy them to limit Arsenal’s opportunities. However, that is not to say that Southampton will win to nil or even keep a clean sheet. The great thing about this bet is it allows flexibility on the result at decent odds.

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