Premier League: Southampton vs Arsenal preview

Arsenal will be looking to add some more momentum to their title challenge when they visit Southampton on Boxing Day. The Gunners defeated Manchester City 2-1 last Monday, taking sole possession of second place in the league table. On the other hand Southampton will be looking to bounce back after a poor run saw them slip to 12th position in the Premier League rankings. The Saints have beaten Arsenal just once in their last 11 Premier League encounters, but that result was recorded earlier this year. The Saints are just six points clear of the relegation zone at the moment after a disappointing run in the last few weeks. The have not won in five matches and lost four of them. The main reason for those results was the lack of productivity in attack, they have scored just twice in the last five matches. They have lost only one of their last seven Boxing Day fixtures, but haven't beaten Arsenal twice in a row since 1988. Goalkeeper Fraser Forster has returned to training but is unavailable to play just yet. Jay Rodriguez is also out of contention. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, a run that culminated with a convincing victory over Manchester City on Monday. They are just two points behind leaders Leicester City, who visit Liverpool on Boxing Day, so a win for Arsenal could move them at the top of the table if the Foxes lose at Anfield. The Gunners are now the favourites for the title, but they will have to show consistency in order to bring that crown home at the end of the season. Arsenal have lost just one of their Premier League matches on Boxing Day. Arsene Wenger still has a long list of injured players, seven first-team members are still out, including Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez. Probable line-ups: Southampton: Gazzaniga - Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand - Clasie, Wanyama - Long, Tadic, Mane - Pelle Arsenal: Cech - Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal - Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain - Walcott, Ozil, Campbell - Giroud My prediction: Arsenal to win 2-1. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Southampton win - 3.60 Draw - 3.50 Arsenal win - 2.05