Manchester United vs Southampton prediction, odds and betting tips
Manchester United will be looking to continue their recovery when they host Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.
Manchester United vs Southampton odds
Here are the latest match odds for Manchester United vs Southampton.
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Manchester United vs Southampton predictions
All eyes were on Manchester United on Thursday, as Erik ten Hag’s team sought to bounce back from their 7-0 shellacking by Liverpool last time out.
The first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Real Betis took on even greater importance due to that historic defeat at Anfield.
Another poor performance would suggest the thrashing by United’s arch-rivals was the start of a downturn, rather than a one-off.
Thankfully for Ten Hag, his side delivered an excellent display to thrash Betis 4-1. Goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony and Bruno Fernandes put United in a commanding position, before Wout Weghorst scored his first goal for the club late on.
It was the perfect evening for the Red Devils, who will now be looking to cement their place in the top four on Sunday.
Talk of a potential title triumph was always ambitious, and there is now very little chance of United finishing above Arsenal and Manchester City.
Seven points clear of Liverpool in fifth, they are at least well placed to qualify for next season’s edition of the Champions League.
Southampton will struggle to halt United this weekend, with Ten Hag’s side boasting a fantastic recent record at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Southampton betting tips
Manchester United should prove too strong for a Southampton side whose battle against relegation could go to the wire.
Manchester United to win to nil – 6/5 (bet365)
Manchester United are on quite the roll in front of their own fans.
They have now gone 20 games unbeaten at Old Trafford across the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.
Their last defeat on home turf came way back in early September, when Real Sociedad ran out 1-0 winners in Manchester.
Since then, United have won 18 home matches and drawn just two. Newcastle United and Leeds United are the only visiting teams to have avoided defeat at Old Trafford in the last six months.
Only Manchester City and Arsenal have taken more points per home game than United, who have the joint-best defensive record in the division on their own patch.
United have conceded just eight goals in 12 matches at their stadium. They have kept a clean sheet in six of their last nine league games at Old Trafford, as well as against Omonia Nicosia, Sheriff Tiraspol, Burnley, Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest in other competitions.
Ten Hag will prioritise a clean sheet in United’s first top-flight match since that disastrous afternoon at Anfield.
Given that Southampton are the joint-second-lowest scorers in the division, a United shut-out should be well within their grasp.
Manchester United -1 handicap – 10/11 (bet365)
Manchester United turned on the style against Real Betis and they will be aiming for another comfortable victory on Sunday.
It is worth noting, though, that wins by at least a three-goal margin have been relatively rare for the Red Devils in the Premier League this season.
Only three of their victories – over Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Leicester City – have featured a gap of three goals between United and their opponents.
The -2 handicap is certainly worthy of consideration, but on balance we prefer the safer choice of -1.
That bet would come through if United won by at least two clear goals, something they have done on 18 occasions in all competitions.
Southampton have tightened up under Ruben Selles. Having kept one clean sheet during the tenures of Ralph Hasenhuttl and Nathan Jones, the Saints have managed two in the Spaniard’s first three games at the helm.
But this will be a tough match for Southampton. Four of their nine away defeats this term have been by at least a two-goal margin, including tricky trips to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Southampton still have a fighting chance of staying up, but their fate will not be determined by games like this.
Marcus Rashford to score any time – 20/21 (bet365)
Rashford’s early effort against Real Betis on Thursday ended a run of two goals without a goal – and by the standards he has set so far this year, that counts as a drought.
His tally for the calendar year now stands at 15 in 19 games. Weghorst has been criticised for his lack of goals, but Rashford has thrived in part because he is now United’s main man in attack.
There is, of course, a danger that Ten Hag rests the England international for the visit of Southampton.
But the risk of that happening is reduced by the fact that United have a 4-1 aggregate advantage ahead of the second leg against Real Betis on Thursday.
Moreover, Ten Hag will be keen to see his team return to winning ways in the Premier League, so it is likely that he selects his strongest possible XI – or at least close to it.
Despite their recent clean sheets under Selles, Southampton’s defensive deficiencies could be exploited by United, who have scored at least twice in each of their 12 home games in 2023.
Rashford is one of the most in-form forwards in Europe right now, and he will fancy his chances of finding the back of the net against relegation-threatened Southampton.
How to watch Manchester United vs Southampton
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
- Date and time: Saturday 12 March 2023, 2pm.
- How to watch: Not being shown live in the UK.
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