Prediction: Southampton vs Manchester United

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to claim back-to-back Premier League victories on Saturday lunchtime, Manchester United will make the trip to St. Mary’s when they meet Southampton.

Southampton

Starting with the hosts, while Southampton might have opened the 2022/23 campaign with a 4-1 drumming away at Tottenham, it appears that the Saints have come roaring back. Along with mounting an eye-catching second-half comeback against Leeds on August 13th, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men have managed to build off of that success. Along with extending on their EFL Cup run earlier in the week thanks to a routine 3-0 victory away at League One outfit Cambridge, the one-time RB Leipzig boss should find the mood in his camp at a recent high. Likewise, enjoying another stellar turnaround victory away at a struggling Leicester last weekend as they eventually snatched a 2-1 win at the King Power, Southampton are now seeking some stability on home soil. Spending a large spell of the 2021/22 campaign looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, it should be highlighted that Saturday’s hosts have now won just one of their previous seven Premier League contests at St. Mary’s.

Team News

Coming off the bench and bagging a brace against Leicester last weekend, Scotland international Che Adams should be in for a full recall here.

However, still recovering from a long-term knee injury, former Chelsea starlet Tino Livramento will once again miss out on Saturday lunchtime.

Manchester United

As for the visitors, although Manchester United might have endured a woeful start to the new season, the English giants managed to lay down a shock marker earlier in the week. Despite opening the 2022/23 campaign with remarkable back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Brentford, new boss Erik ten Hag saw his side find a much-needed boost at Old Trafford. While they might have faced a huge task against bitter rivals Liverpool, the Red Devils snatched a 2-1 victory on home soil. With the ex-Ajax boss making it clear that his star-studded squad must use Monday’s display as a launchpad, it is no secret that United have their sights set on securing a top-four return this season. However, last seen on their travels getting hit with that infamous 4-0 drumming against Brentford, it should be noted that the former Premier League champions hold a nightmare record on the road. In a run that stems all the way back to February 20th, Saturday’s guests have lost each of their last seven straight top-flight appearances away from Old Trafford.

Team News

Both dropped for United’s 2-1 victory against Liverpool earlier in the week, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo are likely to remain out of the starting XI here.

Bagging his first Premier League strike of the season on Monday night, England international Marcus Rashford should once again lead ten Hag’s charge.

Key Factors to Consider

• Southampton and Manchester United have played out back-to-back 1-1 draws in their last two Premier League showdowns.
• Seven of their previous eight top-flight battles have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Remarkably, Manchester United have lost each of their last seven Premier League matchups away from Old Trafford, a run that stems back to February 20th.
• Likewise, continuing on from last season, Southampton have won just one of their last seven Premier League contests at St. Mary’s.
• Saturday’s guests failed to record a single clean sheet in any of their final 11 top-flight away fixtures last season.

Conclusion

Managing to stun their bitter rivals on Monday night as they eventually snatched a 2-1 victory against Liverpool, Manchester United will be desperate to build off of that success here. However, with ten Hag making it clear that his new squad must find some stability, the former Premier League champions have only continued to show a string of issues on the road. Last seen on their travels getting hit with that stunning 4-0 drumming against Brentford, the Red Devils have remarkably lost each of their last seven top-flight away fixtures. Watching Southampton mount another impressive second-half comeback against Leicester last weekend as they grabbed a 2-1 victory at the King Power, the Saints could be smelling the chance to cause another upset. It should be noted, with seven of their previous eight meetings finishing with both teams finding the net, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet