Talking points ahead of United’s game with Southampton
Manchester United are in desperate need of a Premier League win and as such, they should be excited about Saturday’s game against Southampton.
Whilst playing away from home is never easy, especially when confidence might be low, Saints look to be in a lot of trouble at the moment and noted should be confident of getting a result against them.
However, with his team in mixed form, at least domestically, Jose Mourinho won’t be underestimating the Saints.
Here are the main talking points around the game.
FORM
United have been up and down all season and come into the game on the back of a hammering from Manchester City and a 0-0 bore draw at home against Crystal Palace.
Mourinho’s men sit in seventh place in the Premier League table, 14 points behind leaders Man City eight points behind forth-placed Chelsea.
Southampton are very much in a relegation battle. They’ve won just one game all season, away to Palace, and they’ve not picked up a single victory at home in the league this campaign.
They come into the clash with United on the back of a run of nine league games without a win, hence they sit in 18th place in the league table.
RECENT HISTORY
United have won two and drawn two of the last four league meetings between the sides, whilst Mourinho’s men also defeated Saints in the League Cup final back in 2017. The Red Devils’ record away from home against Saints is exceptional, they’ve not lost on the road to Southampton since way back in 2003.
However, Saints have defeated United twice since 2015 and the last three games between the sides have been very close, with just one goal scored across all three matches.
BETTING
Despite their mixed run of form, Man United are the heavy favourites to win the game, as is expected and they should be good value for anyone looking to use any online betting offers on a Premier League game. Whilst Mourinho’s men aren’t exactly free scoring at the minute, they have the attacking prowess to find a way through a Saints defence which has conceded 24 goals in just 13 games.
With so much chopping and changing, it’s tough to know exactly which forwards United will select but wide players such as Mohamed Salah and Andre Schurrle have had success against Saints in games this season and Anthony Martial should be looking to follow suit and get on the scoresheet himself.
However, with just one goal in the last three games between these sides, history suggests that a 0-0 draw is definitely in play too
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Southampton hope to have Danny Ings back fit, which will be a huge boost. As such, we think he goes straight into the starting XI.
Southampton: McCarthy; Cedric, Yoshida, Hoedt, Bertrand; Hojbjerg, Lemina; Gabbiadini, Armstrong, Redmond; Ings
Mourinho is still looking to find the right balance in his United side but we think he’ll look to be positive and get after their suspect back line.
Man United: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Matic, Pogba, Fellaini; Lingard, Lukaku, Rashford
PREDICTION
As poor as United have been this season, it’s almost impossible to think that they won’t defeat this Southampton side, so we’re predicting a 3-1 win for the away team.