B Team Preview: Saints vs Arsenal
Southampton's B team return to Premier League Cup action this weekend, hosting Arsenal at Staplewood Campus on Sunday.
THE MATCH
Saints vs Arsenal
Premier League Cup, Group A
Staplewood Campus
Sunday 12th December, 2pm GMT
It's the first return fixture for Dave Horseman's side in this season's competition, having played two of a possible six games in the PL Cup this season.
Preceding the defeat to runaway group leaders West Brom in the opening game, a youthful Saints outlet went toe-to-toe with Premier League 2 Division One side Arsenal in match day two.
The Gunners have played one more game than Saints in the group, drawing two and losing one as the battle for second place heats up.
Each of Arsenal, AFC Bournemouth and Saints are in contention for second place in the standings, with the bottom three separated by just a point.
A win for Saints would see them occupying that spot, sitting on four points in Group A and in line for qualification.
LAST MEETING
The two sides met at the start of September as both sides kicked off their Premier League Cup campaigns.
Caleb Watts scored the opener on 16 minutes with a well timed volley at Boreham Wood's Meadow Park.
The two sides were evenly matched, typified by Mika Biereth's equaliser in first half stoppage time.
MANAGER'S NOTES
"It's going to be really tough," said Horseman. "Especially with three more going down on Monday and the Youth Cup on Thursday, we'll have to see how the young ones recover.
"We're in good form and playing well and have won a few games recently so it's probably the test we need.
"They're in the top couple of the division above and have some outstanding players but that's the challenge for these players.
"We'll look forward to that challenge, it will be a real tough game and one in as underdogs but if we do everything right we can cause some problems."
