Southampton – Man Utd

Monday night football in Premier League will see Southampton take on Manchester United, a game with a big impact in the race for Top 4.

Seems like Southampton is going to repeat last seasons’ scenario – after a great start in the Premier League, the Saints have now lost two in a row against Manchester City (0-3) and Arsenal (0-1) and it was right around this time that they started to go downhill in 2013. The Saints were totally overmatched by City two rounds ago and they lost by just 1 goal at the Emirates but it was a very poor game from both teams. Even more, before these two losses Southampton barely got a 1-1 draw against Villa, so their level of football has really worsened in the last few weeks – the top players like Pelle are no longer producing, and that has a clear effect over the results.

United has put together 4 wins in a row for the first time this season and it seems like they are really starting to click. Last round it was a 2-1 win over Stoke without the services of Di Maria, and a win today would cement a place in the top 3 for the Devils. United still has some issues to sort out, no doubt about that, but they will enter this game with confidence, knowing that they are playing much better football than in the start of the season.

Bet on Southampton vs. Man. United with the highest handicap odds at Pinnacle.

Team news & lineups

Southampton with a couple of absentees ahead of this one: Schneiderlein, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, Gallagher and Cork are out, while Alderweireld and Tadic are doubtful. United will possibly get Di Maria back (on the bench), while Rafael, Blind, Shaw, Jones and Lingard continue to miss.

Southampton: Forster – Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Bertrand – Wanyama, Yoshida – S. Davis, Tadic, Long – Pelle

Man United: De Gea – Smalling, Rojo, Blackett – Young, Herrera, Fellaini, Valencia – Mata – Van Persie, Rooney

United has been the team on the rise recently while Southampton is going downhill, so I expect the Devils to get at least a draw here – especially since they showed they can play big on the road, beating Arsenal three rounds ago (not an impressive performance, but still). Additionally, Southampton has been hit hard by injuries and that will test their depth big time. United has injuries as well, but the difference is that they are getting players back (and have more depth), while most of the injuries for the Saints have happened in the last week. My tip here is Manchester United to win, but I`m covering the bet with a +0 asian handicap. It could also end up with very few goals considering how the Saints looked on offense recently. Prediction: Southampton – Manchester United 0-1.

Pick: Manchester United (+0 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.86 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.88
Event date: 8 December