Prediction: Southampton vs Manchester United

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Desperate to claim a crucial Premier League boost on Saturday lunchtime, Manchester United will travel to St. Mary’s when they meet Southampton.

Southampton

Starting with the hosts, while Southampton might have book a Premier League return for this season, it is no secret that Russell Martin’s men have a real challenge on their hands this time around. Already pencilled in as a landslide relegation contender this year, the former Swansea boss has seen his squad show a string of worrying issues since opening proceedings last month. Last seen heading into September’s international break with a routine 3-1 loss at the hands of Brentford, the Saints have lost each of their opening three Premier League appearances. Now one of just two clubs alongside Everton who are yet to put a single point on the board, Saturday’s hosts are desperately seeking some kind of boost when they return to Premier League action this weekend.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues prior to September’s international break, Southampton will once again be without the trio of Ross Stewart, Gavin Bazunu and Ghana international Kamaldeen Sulemana here. Arriving from Aston Villa on a permanent basis this summer, Cameron Archer could make a first start of the season on Saturday lunchtime.

Notching 24 Championship strikes last season and playing a leading role in Southampton’s Premier League return, skipper Adam Armstrong will lead Martin’s charge. Completing a shock move from Arsenal this summer, Aaron Ramsdale will make a first appearance at St. Mary’s this weekend.

Manchester United

As for the visitors, while Manchester United might have eventually made the decision to stick with Erik ten Hag over the summer, the former Ajax boss already finds a tremendous amount of pressure on his shoulders. Last seen heading into September’s international break with a nightmare display as they slumped to a woeful 3-0 drumming at home against historic rivals Liverpool, the Reds have lost back-to-back Premier League appearances and they mark their return to top-flight action battling it out in the bottom-half of the table. Knowing the importance of claiming a crucial boost this weekend, United should at least take some solace from a dominant record against the Saints. Including a 1-0 win when they last travelled to St. Mary’s back in August 2022, they are unbeaten in all of their previous 15 straight meetings across all competitions.

Team News

Manchester United have already confirmed that England international Mason Mount will not feature this weekend due to a muscle injury. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance since opening up the new campaign, former Southampton youngster Luke Shaw remains on the sidelines and will not travel to St. Mary’s on Saturday lunchtime.

Likewise, while Rasmus Hojlund might be inching closer to a first appearance of the campaign, the Norwegian marksmen is not expected to feature here. Arriving from Bayern Munich this summer, Dutch ace Matthijs de Ligt will partner Lisandro Martinez at the heart of ten Hag’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester United last travelled to St. Mary’s back in August 2022, the Red Devils collected a 1-0 victory.
• United are unbeaten in all of their previous 15 consecutive meetings against the Saints across all competitions – a run that stems back to January 2016.
• Southampton have lost each of their opening three Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 5-1.
• Manchester United have collected just three points from their opening trio of Premier League appearances this season.
• All of the last four meetings between Saturday’s opponents have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Heading into September’s international break in the midst of another Premier League struggle, Manchester United know the importance of claiming an essential boost this weekend. With plenty of pressure on their shoulders here, ten Hag’s squad will be desperate to avoid another potential banana skin. Watching Southampton lose each of their opening three Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 5-1, the Reds will be excited by a dominant record against Saturday’s hosts.

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet