Third host fourth as Manchester United welcome Ronald Koeman’s Southampton to Old Trafford and the Saints can move above their more illustrious opponents if they can claim all three points in this Sunday afternoon clash.
Fans of these two sides may be among the happiest in the country right now and whilst United supporters won’t be getting too carried away about being third in the table, there are at least signs they are moving in the right direction. They have lost just one of their last 15 Premier League games, the defence is beginning to improve, David De Gea continues to be excellent in goals and boss Louis van Gaal may have just about found a way to utilise his best attackers by dropping Wayne Rooney a little deeper.
If United fans are quietly pleased, Saints followers must be really and truly over the moon. Despite selling around £100m of players in the summer Southampton are enjoying one of their best seasons ever and, with 20 games gone, they have to be considered serious Champions League contenders. They have the best defence in the Premier League and having recently taken four points from games against Chelsea and Arsenal they won’t fear United at all.
The bookies make the home team big favourites, with Sky Bet’s 4/5 the best price on United. The away side are out at 4/1 with BetVictor and the draw can be backed at 11/4 with Bet365. Given both sides have been drawing frequently of late the stalemate may not be a bad option: United have drawn three of their last four in the league whilst their opponents here have drawn two of their last three, including last time out in the FA Cup.
The key factor, however, is that all of the Red Devils’ draws came away from Old Trafford, and in front of their own fans they have been superb this term, in marked contrast to their form under David Moyes last season. They have the second best home record in the Premier League and that is enough for us to think they will win this one – but bank on it being close.
Manchester United v Southampton Betting Tips
- Manchester United to Win – LVG’s men have won eight of their 10 home league games, including good wins over sides such as Everton, Liverpool, West Ham and Newcastle, whilst they also drew with Chelsea. 4/5 looks more than fair so get involved.
- United to win 2-1 – Correct score bets are always a slight punt but this makes a lot of sense given United’s home record and odds of 8/1 with Bet365 look good to us.
- United to win by one goal – Southampton will not be brushed aside here and with six of United’s league wins coming by a single goal and Saints losing by that margin at Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool, odds of 14/5 with BetVictor are a great alternative to a correct score bet.