Southampton vs Arsenal: FA Cup preview, predictions and bet builder tips

• Ladbrokes previews Southampton vs Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals

• Max Dowman is tipped to score his second Arsenal goal with Flynn Downes booked

• Arsenal are tipped to score at least two goals and win against the Championship side

Club football returns with the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend and Arsenal will be hoping to avoid a potential banana skin away at in-form Championship side Southampton.

The Gunners missed out on their first chance for silverware by losing in the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City before the international break and they will be hoping for no such issues as they bid to reach the semi-finals at Wembley and keep alive hopes of winning multiple trophies this season.

They may have to do without a number of their key players, with the likes of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba among ten Arsenal players to withdraw from international duty over the last week or so.

Check out our in-depth preview for Southampton vs Arsenal, including lineups, predictions and tips for your bet builder.

• Fixture: Southampton vs Arsenal

• Competition: FA Cup quarter-finals

• Date: April 4, 2026

• Kick-off: 20:00 BST

• Venue: St Mary's

Our prediction: Southampton 0-2 Arsenal

Southampton

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Peretz / Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning / Charles, Downes / Fellows, Azaz, Archer / Larin

Arsenal

Our predicted XI (4-3-3): Kepa / White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly / Norgaard, Zubimendi, Havertz / Dowman, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Arsenal are facing something of an injury crisis with as many as 10 players withdrawing from international duty over injury concerns, meaning Mikel Arteta may have to shuffle his pack for this game.

Issues for England duo Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke could see 16-year-old Max Dowman get another chance to impress after starting in the fifth round against Mansfield - and we're tipping the youngster to make his mark again by finding the net, which would place him among the competition's youngest ever goalscorers.

The Championship club will need to get stuck in and disrupt the Premier League leaders' rhythm as much as they can, meaning a few bookings are likely to be on the cards for the Saints.

Flynn Downes feels like a prime candidate for a yellow card, with a whopping 13 already this season including two in his two FA Cup appearances.

While the Gunners are depleted, we think they are still good value for a couple of goals, with Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz both coming into the game off the back of scoring for their national teams.

Alongside Dowman's effort, we reckon Arteta's men grab at least another goal on the South Coast.

Finally, we're tipping an Arsenal win in 90 minutes at St Mary's, even if it's unlikely to be straightforward against an in-form Southampton side currently pushing for the play-offs in the Championship.

While the Saints have enjoyed an impressive run in the competition, it takes a lot to get the better of Arteta's side this season and this looks to be one they will negotiate to keep their hopes of the Treble alive.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.