We offer our best bets for the Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final tie between Championship Southampton and Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The final leg of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final triple-header sees Championship side Southampton seeking a major scalp as they entertain Premier League leaders Arsenal at St Mary’s.
The Gunners had not got past the fourth round since their last FA Cup success over Chelsea in 2020, so this season’s run represents progress and they are still chasing a treble despite losing in the EFL Cup final to Manchester City in their final match before the international break.
Southampton have improved tremendously in the second half of the season, climbing to sixth place in the Championship with a 14-match unbeaten run that stretches back to January, so the home side should take on this challenge full of confidence.
Both teams scored in the last four Premier League meetings between the teams and the Saints will be hopeful of making their mark in this tie too.
We have selected a football betting Bet Builder on the match that pays out at 16/1 if successful.
Southampton v Arsenal Bet Builder
Saints can make a fast start
Our bet builder for Southampton v Arsenal kicks off with a leg on the Saints to be leading at half-time.
The stage is set for a potentially slow start from the Premier League giants as they play their first match since their EFL Cup final defeat 13 days earlier and with their top players having been scattered across the globe on international duty in the meantime.
Mikel Arteta is also dealing with a lengthy injury list with Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Piero Hincapie among the likely absentees.
The Arsenal manager will also have an eye on Tuesday’s crucial Champions League trip to Portugal to play Sporting when selecting his side, so it could be a very different line-up to the usual league team that takes to the pitch at St Mary’s.
The Gunners have strength in depth, but they could be caught cold by Southampton, who have a fantastic record in the first half of their recent matches.
The Saints have conceded only one goal in the first half of their last nine games (a 45th-minute goal by West Brom) and they have not conceded before the break in their last seven home games.
Grabbing a goal themselves will not be easy but the south-cost side have led at half-time in their last three home matches and the odds for that run to continue are attractive.
Leg 1: Southampton to win first half @ 6/1
Entertaining contest likely
If Southampton do get their heads in front, it would be no surprise for Arsenal to fight back after the break and that is likely to lead to over 2.5 goals in the match.
All three of Arsenal’s FA Cup ties against EFL sides this season have produced at least three goals as they beat Portsmouth 4-1 (after Pompey scored first) in the third round, hammered League One Wigan 4-0 at the Emirates in the fourth round and were made to work hard for a 2-1 win at third-tier Mansfield in the last 16.
The last three meetings between the teams have produced totals of six, four and three goals, including a 2-1 Arsenal win in their most recent Premier League meeting in May 2025, and a similar final score is realistic on Saturday.
Leg 2: Over 2.5 goals @ 1/2
Azaz can put tough week behind him
Southampton’s squad have also been in international action this week and while striker Finn Azaz had a tough week with the Republic of Ireland as they failed to make the World Cup finals, he can prove a threat to Arsenal on his return to club duty.
With Cyle Larin having had to make a long trip back after playing for Canada, Azaz seems the more likely of the Saints’ forwards to start against Arsenal and he will be keen to put his World Cup disappointment behind him after having his attempt saved in the penalty shootout against Czech Republic.
Azaz scored the only goal of the game in Southampton’s recent home win over Norwich, though, and can be backed to get at least one effort on target against the Gunners.
Leg 3: Finn Azaz to have 1+ shots on target @ 6/4
