Unbeaten Manchester United face Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday in a match at will surely test Jose Mourinho's team. Last season Southampton held out for a goalless draw against Manchester City at St Mary's, but the Red Devils won the reverse fixture 2-0 and also beat the Saints 3-2 in the League Cup. Southampton won two of the last six direct meetings in the Premier League, but both victories were claimed at Old Trafford. In fact, Southampton have not won at home against Man United since 2003.
Southampton had a fairly rough start to the season, they won just two of their six matches in all competitions and already crashed out of the League Cup after losing 2-0 against Wolverhampton. Last weekend they won 1-0 at struggling Crystal Palace, but before that they lost 2-0 at home against Watford. Charlie Austin is the only injury doubt for the home side, while Virgil van Dijk is ready to make his first appearance for the Saints since January after building up his fitness with the reserve team.
Manchester United are looking solid this season, they kicked off the campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid in the European Super Cup but then went seven matches unbeaten in all competitions and earned six victories in the process. Last weekend they produced an impressive performance to beat Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford and this week they eased past Burton 4-1 in the League Cup. Most of the first-team regulars were rested in midweek, but Marcus Rashford played and picked up a slight knock. The young forward might miss out along with injured Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Probable line-ups:
Southampton: Forster - Soares, Van Dijk, Hoedt, Bertrand - Romeu, Lemina - Tadic, Davis, Redmond - Gabbiadini
Man United: De Gea - Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Blind - Matic, Fellaini - Mata, Mkhitaryan, Rashford - Lukaku
My prediction: Man United to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Southampton win - 4.75
Draw - 3.40
Man United win - 1.80
Your feedback
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
