Southampton FC vs Manchester United FC, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Southampton FC vs Manchester United FC Match Prediction & Analysis

After two weeks of international football, club football returns with renewed energy as teams prepare to pick up from where they left off before the break. Speaking of which, Southampton and Manchester United, both in need of points, will resume the 2024-25 Premier League season, with the Red Devils paying a visit to the South Coast of England. Both teams finished their third round of matches with defeats.  

Manchester United, who began their campaign with a 1-0 triumph over Fulham, have now lost two games in a row. The most recent occurred at home against Liverpool, with a score of 0-3. Similarly, Southampton are coming off a 1-3 setback to Brentford in their previous encounter. Southampton, unlike United, has yet to taste victory this season, having lost both of their previous games by a score of 0-1.

Head-to-Head Record: Manchester United has dominated this rivalry, with a win-loss record of 29-7 in 48 games and 12 draws. Furthermore, the Red Devils have won 13 games at St. Mary's Stadium, while the Saints have only won five at home. 

Current Standings: Manchester United is currently 14th in the points standings, with one victory and two losses, while Southampton is 19th, having lost three games in a row. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Southampton FC Preview

Southampton's freshly promoted side, headed by Russell Martin, has had a challenging start to the season. However, many people would have predicted exactly that. Southampton has lost its first three Premier League games this season. They might become the first side to lose their first four games in three successive seasons in the tournament, having done it previously in 1998-99 and 2012-13 (when promoted). However, they had chances in the first two games, which they lost 1-0.

Missed Opportunities

Unlike their last game, where they lost comprehensively, the Saints had their moments in the other two. In the opening match against Newcastle United, they were up against a 10-man team for over 70 minutes or so, while they lost to Nottingham despite dominating possession (65%), as they managed an xG of 0.14 while the Nots had an xG of 2.45. Worse, they didn't create any big chances and managed only one shot on target. 

Issues thus far

The Saints, like any other struggling team, face challenges in both defence and offensively. This side prefers to build from the back, yet they are frequently caught by the opposition after ceding balls in risky locations on the pitch. Four of the five goals conceded were the result of errors. It's no surprise that they've conceded the most due to errors so far. Meanwhile, in attack, they struggled to find the back of the net. So far in the tournament, the Saints have only scored once in three games, with Yukinari Sugawara's late goal against Brentford in the latest match. 

Injury and possible changes

Gavin Bazunu, the goalie, will continue to miss games owing to a ruptured Achilles tendon. That means Aaron Ramsdale, who started the previous game, will make his home debut on Saturday. Meanwhile, given their troubles in creating chances, Russell's 3-5-2 shape will see midfielder Tyler Dibling start and Cameron Archer replace the out-of-form Adam Armstrong.

Southampton Starting Lineup - Ramsdale (GK); Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis (Defenders); Aribo, Tyler Dibling, Downes ( Midfielders); Archer & Brereton-Diaz ( Forwards) 

Manchester United FC Preview

Man United began the season with a Community Shield win over Manchester City, but the fans appear to have forgotten about it following the first three games of the current Premier League season. Erik ten Hag's team was booed off at Old Trafford after a humiliating 3-0 home loss to Liverpool, their second consecutive defeat of the season, and the Dutchman is under pressure to win three points. Nothing short of a victory on Saturday is acceptable to a die-hard United fan. 

The issues

So far this season, United has allowed up three goals due to on-field errors, the second-worst tally by a team this season. Two of the three goals they conceded occurred against Liverpool and were the result of Casemiro's mistakes, who lost possession during United's buildup in the first half. His performance was so dismal that the Brazilian was replaced at halftime by 20-year-old Toby Collyer. The other issue is clearly a lack of goals, as they have scored three fewer than their xG (5.2) suggests. 

Need for Changes

Ten Hag may make some changes ahead of the Southampton game, given how he did for the Liverpool game. In the game against Liverpool, he brought Fernandes back into the midfield and started Joshua Zirkzee as the striker. However, against the Saints, Ten Hag will have to consider replacing the underperforming Casemiro with a newly signed Utarte and starting with Amad Diallo on the right flank. 

Injuries and possible changes 

Many players are sidelined due to injuries, including Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Hojlund. Asides Ugarte, Luke Shaw, might get a look into the 11.

Manchester United Starting Lineup - Onana (GK), Mazraoui/Luke Shaw, de Ligt, Dalot, Martínez(Defenders);  Ugarte, Fernandes, Mainoo (Midfield); Rashford, Zirkzee & Diallo (Forwards)

SOUTHAMPTON FC vs MANCHESTER UNITED FC
Winning Prediction

As the head-to-head stats suggest, this fixture is heavily loaded in favour of the visitors. Manchester United is unbeaten in their previous 12 Premier League away games against Southampton (W7 D5), dating back to a 1-0 loss in August 2003. In addition, Manchester United has only lost one of their previous 30 Premier League games against promoted teams (W22 D7), having won 15 of their last 17 since a 4-1 loss to Watford in November 2021. 

We predict Manchester United to get back on track with a win over Southampton.

Manchester United to Win (2-0)

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