Southampton vs Manchester United
Erik ten Hag is back in the hot seat after Manchester United experienced a rocky start to their 2024-25 campaign. With one win and two losses in their first three Premier League matches, the Red Devils find themselves in 14th place with three points.
After a short international break, Manchester United are back in action on Saturday, as they’ll visit Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium with the aim of returning on the winning track.
The hosts have had a rough start too, as they are 19th in the standings with three consecutive losses. However, sandwiched between those defeats is a confidence-boosting win over Cardiff City in the second round of the EFL Cup in late August.
Unlike Erik ten Hag, Southampton boss Russell Martin is not on the hot seat, but there’s a growing sense of urgency to tack on points in order to avoid the drop zone altogether.
Talking Points
Southampton’s strikers yet to get off the mark
Southampton have yet to win a league match this season, as they’ve only scored one goal while conceding five on the other end. If this keeps up, the Saints would go straight back to the Championship next season.
The Saints are aiming to replicate their efforts in their 5-3 victory against Cardiff City to advance to the third round of the EFL Cup. Four different players were featured in the scoresheet for Southampton, with Mateus Fernandes, Sam Amo-Ameyaw, and James Bree scoring one goal apiece and Cameron Archer notching a brace.
Ben Brereton Diaz and Adam Armstrong were given the night off, so they should have fresher legs when they host Manchester United on Saturday.
Adam Armstrong led Southampton in scoring last year in the Championship with 24 goals, while Ben Brereton Diaz had six Premier League goals to lead Sheffield United in scoring before they were relegated to the Championship last term.
Head coach Russell Martin favours the 3-5-2 formation for Southampton, giving Armstrong and Diaz opportunities to shine. They just need to regain their bearings and be more clinical.
Ugarte could make Manchester United debut
Manchester United’s midfield woes re-emerged in their last two losses against Brighton and Liverpool, with Casemiro being the primary scapegoat.
The Brazilian midfielder essentially gifted Liverpool a 2-0 lead (before it became 3-0) last time out as he lost the ball on those occasions, leading to a brace by Luis Diaz.
Casemiro is not getting any younger, and perhaps he is still feeling the effects of his major hamstring injury last season. Manchester United need a new No. 6, and they got a new one in Manuel Ugarte.
Ugarte, 23, wasn’t registered on time to face Liverpool, but there’s a huge chance he’ll feature this weekend. The former PSG man was solid for Uruguay this international break.
In other Premier League 2024 news, injury problems continue to be a major source of headache for Erik ten Hag, as Rasmus Hojlund, Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, and Luke Shaw have yet to feature this season, and Mason Mount is their latest injury list addition.
History
Manchester United are undefeated in their last 14 Premier League games against Southampton (D8, L6) since a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford in January 2016. The Red Devils are also unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League games against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.
These last two teams met in the English top-flight in 2022-23, where Manchester United notched a 1-0 win at St Mary’s Stadium and a goalless draw at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture.
The Red Devils have only lost one of their last 30 Premier League games against newly promoted sides (W22, D7), with the only loss being a 4-1 defeat against Watford in November 2021, which ultimately cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his head coaching job.
Betting Tip
The Premier League 2024 odds have Manchester United winning this weekend on the road. The Red Devils are 1.77 favourites, while the Saints are priced at 3.91, and a draw is at 3.57 in the 1X2 market.
A look at their recent matchups would encourage SBOTOP bettors to go for a low-scoring game, hence our recommended bet above. Alternatives also include Under 2.50 at 2.31, Total Goal 2-3 at 2.06, and Total Goal 0-1 at 3.93.
Another 1-0 victory would be good enough for the Red Devils, and it is offered at 8.40. Meanwhile, a Correct Score of 0-0 – the result of their most recent meeting – is the best-case scenario for Southampton, and it is pegged at 14.50.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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