Southampton v Man Utd – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Southampton host Man Utd at St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon in the English Premier League. The hosts are in dire form with so side in the top flight having accrued fewer points since mid-January. Man Utd looked imperious in their opening match and will want to keep the momentum going as they look to mount a serious league challenge. Man Utd can equal Arsenal’s unbeaten top-flight away record of 27 matches by avoiding defeat.

Southampton Form

After 17 matches last season, Southampton sat in sixth place with 29 points. It’s been a disaster since then. The final 21 league matches saw Saints get fewer points than any other team with 15 defeats in 21 matches.

After just eight points from 16 matches from rounds 18 to 33, Southampton managed consecutive home victories against Crystal Palace and Fulham. The campaign finished with three losses in a row and eight goals conceded. They lost 2-1 at home to Everton in their first match of his season.

Southampton Team News

Saints lost three first choice players in the summer in defender Ryan Bertrand and Jannik Vestergaard and star striker Danny Ings. The club has spent £25m less than they have received in this window. Adam Armstrong scored on debut and will replace Ings whilst Frenchman Romain Perraud takes the left-back spot.

Fringe players Sam McQueen and Will Smallbone are the only injuries absentees. On loan striker Armando Broja could make the bench for the first time.

Southampton Motivation

The side is lacking in confidence and that has seen the pressing style take a back seat with a less identifiable approach on display.

Considering the disastrous run the side is on, a draw would feel like a win and Ralph Hasenhüttl could settle for a point pretty early on in this match. Last year’s 9-0 will be in their minds and when trailing by a couple, it may become about avoiding that sort of humiliation again.

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Man Utd Form

Man Utd started their season with a 5-1 thrashing of Leeds with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hattrick. With an injury to captain Harry Maguire towards the end of last season, United suffered a dip as their six matches leading up to the Europa League final saw three losses as Roma, Leicester and Liverpool all beat the Red Devils.

The season finished on a sour note as Man Utd lost the Europa League final on penalties to Villarreal after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Their win against Leeds saw Mason Greenwood and Fred also grab goals whilst Paul Pogba picked up four assists.

Man Utd Team News

United have Raphael Varane on board but it’s very unlikely that he will feature in this match. Edinson Cavani is isolating after returning from an extended post-Copa America holiday whilst Marcus Rashford is injured.

Anthony Martial is nearing full fitness but is set to remain on the bench with Paul Pogba playing off the left and Mason Greenwood leading the line. It’s almost certain to be an unchanged side from the opening match although Jadon Sancho and Martial pushing to take the spot of Dan James.

Man Utd Motivation

Solskjaer’s team will play to win and will look to score an early goal against a team desperately lacking confidence or defensive solidity.

Anything less than three points would be disappointing considering just how poor Southampton have been of late. As shown by United’s 9-0 win against Saints last season, they won’t stop attacking if leading.

Key Stats

Southampton are 10 home PL matches without beating Man Utd (D4 L6), despite taking the lead in six of them

Southampton have lost 16 of their last 22 PL matches

Man Utd are 11 matches unbeaten against Southampton (W6, D6)

Man Utd have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 9 matches

Man Utd beat Southampton 9-0 last season

Man Utd are 26 away PL matches unbeaten

Prediction

This really does look like a certain Man Utd win based on their away form and Southampton being in relegation form for several months. Saints may have enough to score a goal but could ship a fair few having lost two of their back four this summer.

Best Bet: Man Utd win and both to score at 3.25

Correct Score Tip: Southampton 1-3 Man Utd at 13.00

Alternative Bet: Man Utd to win by 2 goals at 4.65