@ZAPunter provides his betting tips for the English Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United which takes place on Saturday 31st August
SOUTHAMPTON VS MANCHESTER UNITED, SATURDAY @ 13.30
The Saints did an excellent job to record their first win this season against an in form Brighton. This weekend they return to St Mary’s where they will welcome Manchester United on Saturday. The Red Devils suffered a shock defeat at home against Crystal Palace last weekend and will hope to bounce back on the road. Manchester United have dominated this fixture in the past, going undefeated in their last 7 encounters and haven’t lost at St Mary’s since 2003. Since Hasenhuttl became manager, Southampton has played excellent football, but the results have been mixed. They started the season with 2 defeats and 1 win, but deserved more when you look at their performance. Manchester United started this season like a house on fire by beating Chelsea 4-0, since then they looked like the same team who finished the campaign last season. Missing a penalty in both of their last games, the team looks low on confidence.
SOUTHAMPTON:
The Saints are currently sitting 18th in the table with 3 points, but when you look at the expect goals table (performances) they are astonishingly ranked 3rd., and it shows how unlucky they have been. The point is that result matter more than performances, but Hasenhuttl will be confident that his team’s quality performances turn into results. The Brighton result and a victory in Tuesday night’s league cup game will boost the team with much needed confidence. Southampton’s average xGf is 1.91 and xGa 1.24 vs the actual 1 goal for and 1.67 against, the expectation is that the actual goals for will increase and goals against slightly decrease. Southampton will see Saturday’s game as a great opportunity to defeat a massive club.
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Manchester United is in a similar situation than Southampton, sitting 5th in the table, but ranked 2nd when we look at expected goals. The missed opportunities has been a problem for United, especially those 2 missed penalties in their last 2 games. Ole will already start feeling the pressure from the fans, as they expect results and their team to “play the Manchester United way” and grind out results. There has been a lot of talk about the character of the team and if they have the leaders to take the club forward. Players like Pogba and Lingard get constant criticism from fans and former players. Their average team goals scored is exactly the same as xGf and xGa stands at 0.83 against the actual 1 goal conceded per game. This shows United’s results have matched their performances and Ole will demand more from his players. Ole’s men are in dire need of a win here and we can expect some changes in the team.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS AND TEAM NEWS:
Southampton: 4-2-2-2
Gunn,
Valery, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Danso,
Romeu, Hojbjerg,
Boufal, Ward-Prowse,
Adams, Ings.
*Redmond suffered an injury in the League cup game and is a doubt. Bertrand another doubt due to injury concerns from last weekend.
Manchester United: 4-2-3-1
De Gea,
Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young,
Pogba, McTominay,
James, Mata, Rashford,
Greenwood.
*Shaw and Martial will be unavailable due to injury. Greenwood might get the opportunity to start his first game this season in place of out of form Lingard.
PREDICTION:
My expectation is that both teams will be clinical in front of goal and that we will see 3+ goals in the match. Southampton will look to build on their last 2 victories and will be confident of getting a result against a low on confidence Manchester United. The Red Devils will need to improve, otherwise it will be another mediocre season. Defensively, both teams have been struggling with lapses in concentration and this weekend should prove another tough test for the back 4’s. With the inconsistency of both teams, I rather side with both teams to score than the total market.
BETTING:
Both Teams To Score – 1.76 @ BetOlimp.
Premier League Betting Record: 7-5 (+1.69)
Premier League Best Bet Record: 3-0 (+3.81)
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
@ZAPunter
