Following a weekend of FA Cup drama, there is a return to Premier League action for Manchester United and Southampton, although it may not be a welcome one. Both teams successfully negotiated their third-round ties, displaying a stark contrast from their league form that has caused much stress so far.
United sit 14th, while the Saints are rock bottom and at risk of being the worst-performing team in Premier League history should they maintain their current level. So, it will be interesting to see which team can use their win in the FA Cup as a springboard to improve their league form.
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Manchester United vs Southampton
Thursday, January 16, 8pm
Old Trafford, Manchester
Live on TNT Sports
Manchester United vs Southampton Preview
These two teams have had a lot in common this season. After difficult starts, both clubs decided to sack their managers. Erik Ten Haag was replaced by Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, while Ivan Juric succeeded Russell Martin at Southampton.
There will be some debate on who has the more difficult job, but so far, neither manager has managed to produce a sustained upturn in results that justify their appointments.
United did at least get a taste of the fabled ‘new manager bounce’, with Amorim going unbeaten in his first three games (one draw, two wins), before successive league defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest were quickly erased from memory by a dramatic derby win against Manchester City.
This was followed by three more defeats in a row before an unlikely draw at Anfield stopped the bleeding somewhat. Add to this their defeat of Arsenal in the FA Cup that has completed the rollercoaster ride thus far.
Unfortunately for Southampton, their particular rollercoaster ride has only incorporated steep, steep drops, and has been the sort of experience that creates a phobia.
Martin tried his best to implement the same successful footballing philosophy that earned Southampton promotion from the Championship, but getting results in the Premier League is a different challenge. By the time he was sacked in December, he had only a solitary win to show for his time as a top-level manager, and so it was bestowed upon Juric to pick up the pieces.
Juric’s appointment has not shown much sign of changing the fortunes of the club, though, with three successive top-flight defeats leaving them on course to set a new record for lowest point total accumulated over a Premier League season.
Manchester United vs Southampton Odds
*All odds are subject to change
United are favourites for this one, with a home win at 1.28. The price on a Southampton win is 9.60. You can get the draw at 6.00.
Manchester United vs Southampton Betting Tips
Bet Builder: Man Utd to win, Over 2.5 Goals, Rasmus Hojlund to score anytime @ 2.50
We start our tips with a nicely packaged Bet Builder that attempts to cover all the likely bases. A United win, at least three goals in total and Hojlund to make the most of playing against the leakiest defence in the league? Yes please.
Anytime Goalscorer – Tyler Dibling @ 7.70
We really like the look of Dibling at NetBet, and after a couple of goals in the FA Cup third-round win over Swansea, we think he might be in the mood for more. He is certainly one of the Saints’ biggest threats and we expect him to be in the Premier League next season, even if Southampton are not.
Yellow Cards: Total – Over 4.5 @ 1.82
When you are in a relegation battle, frustration can often boil over, resulting in cards being brandished. We think there will be enough to make this tip a winner.
Manchester United Team News
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia, Diallo, B. Fernandes, Hojlund
Injuries/Doubts: Rashford, Lindelof, Mount, Shaw
Suspensions: Dalot
Southampton Team News
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Ramsdale, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood, Walker-Peters, Ugochukwu, M. Fernandes, Manning, Dibling, Sulemana, Onuachu
Injuries/Doubts: Downes, Stephens
Suspensions: None
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