English FA CUP

2026-04-04 - Southampton vs Arsenal

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Southampton v Arsenal
Football: English FA Cup Quarter Final
Saturday 4th April 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV

Southampton

After building a big reputation in France, Will Still's time at Southampton ended with the team in 21st place in the Championship standings. The board decided to give the full job to Tonda Eckert after he performed well in an interim role and there have been very few clubs in better form in the second tier of English Football since that time.

It may be too late for Southampton to earn an automatic return to the Premier League, but they have moved into the top six places in the Championship and the momentum behind them will be difficult to contain. The Saints have used that momentum to beat Doncaster Rovers, Leicester City and Fulham in the FA Cup run and they are enjoying the best run in the competitions since reaching the same stage in 2022.

Southampton are unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions, but the confidence has really been given a boost from the fact they have won 10 of those matches. Since losing to Hull City, Southampton are also unbeaten in 7 at St Mary's in all competitions and have won 5 of those games in normal time with another won in Extra Time in the FA Cup Fourth Round against fellow Championship club Leicester City.

Arsenal

The defeat in the League Cup Final was one thing, but Arsenal fans will have been concerned about the manner in which they were beaten by Manchester City. Prices to win the Quadruple had been shortening all the time but that dream is over, although Mikel Arteta will be reminding everyone that Arsenal still can achieve so much in the remainder of the campaign.

They are certainly looking strong favourites to win the Premier League title and end a wait of over two decades to be called English Champions. The Champions League Bracket gives Arsenal every chance of reaching the Final of that competition for only the second time, while Arteta's first season in charge at the Emirates Stadium ended with a FA Cup trophy secured in 2020.

Arsenal had been unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions following a defeat to Manchester United, but that run was ended by the other Manchester club at the national Stadium two weeks ago. The side are unbeaten in 14 away games in all competitions ahead of this fixture and Arsenal have won 10 of those matches played.

A number of players either missed international duty completely or were sent home early- Martin Odegaard is a doubt for this weekend, and Eberechi Eze is expected to miss out. There are concerns about Noni Madueke's availability, while the likes of Piero Hincapie, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Leandro Trossard all need to be assessed. Gabriel and William Saliba will be hoping to be available.

Head to Head

Both Premier League fixtures between Arsenal and Southampton were won by the former last season.

Southampton had only been beaten once in 4 home games against Arsenal before conceding very late on in a 1-2 loss here in May 2025.

Prediction

The March international break may have offered some supporters the chance to just reset, but Arsenal fans will be looking forward to hearing from manager Mikel Arteta.

They will be keen to have some of the concerns about injuries within the squad to be cleared up as many of the key names returned from international duty early. A host of names are considered doubts ahead of a big return to club football and Arsenal also suffered a very disappointing 2-0 defeat in the League Cup Final two weeks ago.

Signs of fatigue had been evident in some of the football played last month, but Mikel Arteta will want to see his players dig in for one more big push.

Of course the Premier League leaders are going to be a strong favourite in this FA Cup Quarter Final when travelling to face a top six Championship host. That isn't going to be a surprise for anyone, but Southampton fans can certainly arrive for this evening kick off with some confidence in seeing their own team give as good as they may get.

The dismissal of Will Still has proven to be a key moment of the season for Southampton and some fans may feel that there is still a chance of them sneaking into the top two and an automatic return to the top flight.

The squad will get back together knowing they are unbeaten in 14 in all competitions and Southampton have proven to be in good form at St Mary's. They will rarely have faced opponents of the quality of Arsenal, but Southampton did upset Fulham in the FA Cup Fifth Round and the visitors may not be as filled with top international names as they would usually be.

A Champions League Quarter Final is a potential distraction for Mikel Arteta when it comes to team selection and that may mean the top names are not risked if they are carrying anything after the international returns.

Arsenal may still have enough to win, but Southampton can certainly offer some resistance and threat in front of their own fans.

With that being said, the Asian Line may be the best to take in as it covers a narrow defeat for the hosts- Southampton may feel they have an opportunity here in front of the supporters, who will back them all the way, and the Championship side can at least finish the fixture with their heads held up.