Don’t look now, but Southampton are back inside the Top Four after extending their unbeaten run to four games with a shock win over Arsenal a week ago. They will look to tighten their grip on that coveted Champions League spot when they face a Manchester United side in the midst of a 10-game Premier League unbeaten run.
Read on for a complete preview of this top-of-the-table showdown and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between Arsenal and Stoke City here.
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Southampton vs. Manchester United Betting Preview
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, January 11, 11:00 AM ET
Line: Southampton +360 at Manchester United -155, tie +250; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Southampton
This Southampton team is for real.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Saints’ European dreams are alive and kicking once again after stunning Arsenal 2-0 at St. Mary’s on New Year’s Day. With 37 points under their belts, the Saints have now leapfrogged Arsenal and Tottenham for that coveted fourth spot in the table.
Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic provided the goals for the Saints, who have now grabbed 10 out of a possible 12 points in their last four Premier League games. Considering that they had lost four consecutive games prior to this run, it’s a terrific comeback for Ronald Koeman’s men.
Key to Southampton’s recent revival has been their return to form on the defensive end. The league’s best defensive side have allowed just two goals in their last four games and they managed to pull it off against teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Crystal Palace.
This game is a rematch of their meeting a month ago where the Saints suffered a tough 2-1 defeat to the Red Devils. The Saints were unfortunate not to get at least a point in that game as they totally dominated Manchester United in that contest. The Saints had a 15-3 advantage in shot attempts and controlled majority of the possession (52%). The Red Devils made the most of their chances, however, as Robin van Persie grabbed a priceless double to give United the crucial win.
For Southampton to return the favor this coming Sunday, the Saints need to be more clinical with their finishing. The onus is on Graziano Pelle to continue his good scoring form. The Italian has now scored eight goals for the Saints, tied for the seventh-best mark in the league this season. One of those goals came in that loss to United.
Manchester United’s Premier League title hopes took a huge hit last Thursday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke City. It was the third consecutive stalemate on the road for United who are now nine points behind Chelsea and Manchester City in the title race.
For the second consecutive game, the Red Devils struggled on the offensive end as they managed just six shot attempts against the Potters. Fortunately for United, one of those attempts resulted in a goal as Radamel Falcao grabbed an equalizer in the 26th minute to help preserve the Red Devils’ unbeaten run.
Given their struggles on the road lately, it is a welcome relief for Louis van Gaal that his side will be returning to Old Trafford this coming weekend. The Red Devils have grabbed a total of 25 points (8-1-1) in their 10 home games this season, the second-best mark in the entire Premier League.
Further boosting United’s bid to end their two-game winless streak against Southampton this coming Sunday is the return to form of Angel Di Maria. After spending a month on the sidelines because of a hamstring injury, the Argentine star was back to his best Sunday against Yeovil in the FA Cup, scoring a goal to give United a 2-0 win.
Di Maria has now scored four goals for United, but his goal last Sunday was just his first in almost three months. It is imperative for United to get Di Maria going on the offensive end this coming Sunday as they will face the league’s best defensive team in Southampton. The Saints have allowed just 15 goals this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Manchester United return to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Southampton.
