Prediction: Manchester United vs Southampton

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet

Desperate to make a return to winning ways in midweek, Manchester United will welcome Southampton at an empty Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, while an extended purple patch heading into the New Year might have had some tipping Manchester United as a real title challenger this season, the former champions have once again shown their inconsistencies over the past week. Failing to bounce back from that stunning 2-1 defeat at home against a rock-bottom Sheffield United on January 27th, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Arsenal over the weekend. While the Red Devils did manage to extend on their FA Cup adventure against bitter rivals Liverpool last month, United’s 2-1 win against relegation scrappers Fulham is their only Premier League win in their previous four appearances. A side that is desperately seeking a return to winning ways in midweek, Solskjaer’s side should at least be boosted by their eye-catching unbeaten record against Tuesday’s guests. Including a 3-2 win when they last faced off against Southampton back in November, United are unbeaten against the Saints since 2016.

Team News

Despite being forced off over the weekend with stomach cramps, Scott McTominay is fit to feature in midweek.

Eric Bailly may replace Victor Lindelof, who struggles to play twice a week due to an ongoing back problem.

Southampton

As for the visitors, although Southampton might have also shocked many across the Premier League earlier in the season, the Saints have come crashing back down to earth. While the South Coast outfit might have put in an eye-catching performance against Aston Villa over the weekend, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men were hit with a controversial 1-0 defeat at St. Mary’s on Saturday night. Despite the former RB Leipzig boss seeing his boss book their spot in the fifth-round of this year’s FA Cup last month, they are enduring an extended Premier League blip. Losing their spot in the top-half of the table and another top-flight side who are seeking a much-needed boost, Southampton have lost each of their last three league appearances on the bounce. In fact, Tuesday’s guests have lost three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since November 2019. More concerning for Hasenhüttl’s side, they have landed just a single top-flight win since December 13th.

Team News

Theo Walcott, Ibrahima Diallo and Oriol Romeu have all been added to Southampton’s growing injury list.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Jannik Vestergaard and Mohammed Salisu are among the players who were already sidelined.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 3-2 win when they faced off against Southampton back in November, Manchester United are unbeaten against Tuesday’s guests since 2016.
• Manchester United have managed to win just one of their last four Premier League matchups.
• Likewise, along with losing their last three top-flight contests on the bounce, Southampton have also won just one of their previous eight Premier League contests.
• The Red Devils have seen three of their last four matchups at Old Trafford finish with over 2.5 goals.
• Each of the last five meetings between Manchester United and Southampton has finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Having to settle for a point away at Arsenal over the weekend, there is no doubt that Manchester United are desperate to make a return to winning ways on Tuesday night. While the Red Devils might be in the midst of a recent blip, they should be smelling a real chance against a struggling Southampton. Eventually hit with a controversial 1-0 loss against Aston Villa last time out, the midweek guests have lost their last three Premier League contests on the bounce and they have just a single win to their name since the middle of December. Picking up a 3-2 win when they faced off against the Saints back in November and unbeaten against the South Coast outfit since 2016, we’re backing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men to pick up three crucial points at Old Trafford.

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet