Premier League: Manchester United vs Southampton preview

Premier League: Manchester United vs Southampton preview
Manchester United will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak when they host Southampton at Old Trafford on Saturday. The Red Devils could move up into the top four if they win, but Southampton are also aware that they could move up to seventh place if they collect their third consecutive win. Man United have won 10 of the last 13 meetings against the Saints, who have recorded just one victory in the process. That win was last season though, and it was at Old Trafford. This season's reverse fixture saw Manchester United fighting back to clinch a 3-2 win. The Red Devils won 1-0 at rivals Liverpool last weekend, a result that gave Louis van Gaal some confidence and relieved some of the pressure that has been building up. They ended 2015 with a terrible run of eight games without a win, but 2016 started with three wins and a draw. The team's performances have not been exactly brilliant, but at least the points were won. Take the derby at Liverpool for instance: the Red Devils had just one shot on target, but that shot was a goal. Wayne Rooney has been the scorer, bagging his fourth goal in as many matches since the turn of the year. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick and Adnan Januzaj are all in doubt, while Ashley Young might miss out with a knee injury. Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw remain sidelined. Southampton have also improved their form recently, after a poor spell that saw them sliding into the bottom half of the Premier League table. They have recorded two consecutive wins, 2-0 against Watford and 3-0 against West Bromwich Albion. However, both those matches were at home, while their away record shows four consecutive defeats. They have only managed to scored nine goals away from home this season. Ronald Koeman is hopeful that the signing of striker Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers will improve that, since the forward has scored 18 goals this season in the Championship. Maarten Stekelenburg might miss out due to a hamstring injury, while Jay Rodriguez and Florin Gardos remain sidelined. Probable line-ups: Man United: De Gea - Varela, Smalling, Blind, Darmian - Schneiderlin, Fellaini, Lingard, Mata, Martial - Rooney Southampton: Forster - Cedric, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand - Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Davis, Mane, Tadic - Long Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Man United win - 1.91 Draw - 3.50 Southampton win - 4.75
Sports Events Back to articles