Southampton v Manchester United – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Southampton host Man Utd at St. Mary’s in the English Premier League on Sunday afternoon. The Saints sit four points clear of the Red Devils having played one match more. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team have drawn four of their last five matches against United but will want to end a run of nearly five years without winning.

Southampton Form

Southampton started the season with back-to-back defeats including a 5-2 thrashing at home to Tottenham. They have responded brilliantly by winning five and drawing two of their next seven Premier League matches. That run included four clean sheets and a comeback from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at Chelsea. In their last match, they led through Theo Walcott but could only draw 1-1 away at Wolves.

Southampton Team News

The Saints are expected to still be without both Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond in attacking areas for this game due to injuries. That should mean another start for each of Moussa Djenepo and Theo Walcott.

Also likely to be missing are Will Smallbone in midfield and Mohamed Salisu at centre back. James Ward-Prowse should be fit to play after he returned from a hamstring problem for the Wolves game.

Southampton Motivation

To win. Southampton set up very positively and aggressively against the top six sides, looking to press high to stop their build-up play and use speedy transitions as a means of attack. Even without Ings and Redmond, they will set up in their narrow 4-4-2 (resembling a 4-2-2-2 shape). Whilst a draw would be a decent result from this match, Southampton won’t play for one and will see Man Utd as beatable.

Man Utd Form

Man Utd have been up and down this season. Two impressive Champions League wins, 2-1 at PSG and 5-0 at home to RB Leipzig, were followed up with a poor home loss to Arsenal and 2-1 defeat away to Istanbul Basaksehir.

They have since won at Everton, finally managed a first home league win against West Brom (albeit in very fortunate circumstances) and beaten Istanbul Basaksehir 4-1 with Bruno Fernandes running riot. Solskjaer’s team have won seven matches in a row on their travels in the Premier League.

Man Utd Team News

There are two major injuries to contend with for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. At left-back, Luke Shaw is out so Alex Telles should get another league start. In midfield, Paul Pogba is a doubt but may be left on the bench even if he is fit.

The coach has to decide whether to start Edison Cavani up front with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial either side, or whether Juan Mata is recalled. Victor Lindelof went off with a small knock against Istanbul Basaksehir but should be fit to play.

Man Utd Motivation

Man Utd need a win. On the road, they are usually much more dangerous and effective as they can absorb pressure and then counter-attack at speed using the pace they have upfront. The question marks will come if Southampton take the lead and then allow them some of the ball and whether they have the guile – Bruno Fernandes aside – to break the Saints down.

Key Stats

Southampton are 7 PL matches unbeaten (5W, 2D)

Man Utd have won their last 7 away PL matches

Southampton have won 3 home PL matches in a row. They haven’t won 4 in a row since 2016

Man Utd have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 7 away PL matches

Southampton have seen under 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 10 home PL matches

Man Utd have seen Over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 8 PL matches

Southampton and Man Utd have drawn 4 of their last 5 PL meetings

Man Utd are 9 matches unbeaten against Southampton in all competitions

Prediction

This is going to be a very closely fought match. Southampton are in great form and Man Utd are on an amazing run on the road in the Premier League so something has to give. A draw is perhaps the most likely outcome.