Manchester United travel to St. Mary’s to face Southampton in a crucial Premier League clash, with both teams looking to secure three important points. Manchester United and Erik Ten Hag are looking to push for a top-four finish after a terrible start to the season. Southampton are battling to climb up the table to avoid relegation and get their first win. As the kickoff approaches, we look closer at the form, available squads, and tactical setups of this anticipated encounter.
Stats and Key Insights
Manchester United have lost two of their last three Premier League games. Still, they are going in as favorites, considering they are unbeaten in the last 12 Premier League away games against Southampton. Winning seven and drawing five. Southampton have lost all three games in the Premier League so far. They could be the first team to lose four games in their last three Premier League campaigns. They have also lost 399 of their 927 matches in the Premier League and could be one of the five teams to lose 400 games in the competition. Manchester United are looking to regain some confidence and return from a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
This is the second consecutive season in which United have lost the first two games under Erik Ten Hag. The Dutch would be clinching his fists as he’s about to face one of the only two teams yet to register a win in the Premier League could prove to be a great opportunity to get back on track. Russell Martin’s team will look to capitalize on Manchester United’s sloppiness and avoid a fourth defeat in a row, recently the Saints were beaten 3-1 at Brentford last time out.
Interesting stat as Southampton and Manchester United are the teams that have made the most errors leading to goals in the Premier League. 4 for the Saints and 3 for the Red Devils. All the goals Manchester United conceded against Liverpool at Old Trafford were through errors. As much as the two sides have disappointed their fans and dropped points, they have certainly underperformed, given their xG(Expected goals).
Russell Martin would be utterly disappointed not to have come up with any points at all, with a 3.5 xG their shot conversion letting them down as it is the lowest in the League with a rate of just 2.4%. The Saints also have an average of 68.1 percent possession of the ball, which is only second to Tottenham. Meanwhile, Manchester United has only two goals from a considerable xG of around 5.2. That is the biggest difference between XG and the goals scored in the league.
Squads, Predictions, and Head-to-Head
A couple of new signings from either end could make their debuts. Manuel Ugarte played a combined 170 minutes for Uruguay in the International break. He was deemed not match fit yet by Erik Ten Hag, but maybe the international break could change his mind and feature instead of inconsistent Casemiro at the St. Mary’s for Manchester United. Southampton statement signing Aaron Ramsdale signed on the deadline day for 25 million pounds and is all set to make his home debut for the Saints.
Manchester United would probably play the same lineup as they did against Liverpool, with a huge possibility of featuring Ugarte. There is a big possibility for the Saints that Lesley Ugochukwu, who was signed on loan from Chelsea on loan could start in midfield to solidify their defense, which has been vulnerable. Southampton cannot beat Manchester United in the last 12 Premier League home games. Despite his team being out of form, Ten Hag has a reason to be slightly confident.
Manchester United have also come back from behind to beat the Saints on ten different occasions, and Southampton has not won in their last 14 Premier League games against the Reds of Manchester. Due to these stats and figures, the odds favor Ten Hag and his men. Total Apex Sports predicts a 3-2 win for Manchester United, considering the defensive vulnerability from both sides and errors, it has the feel of a high-scoring game even though both sides have been pretty poor in front of goal.
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover Fantasy Sports, too!
Check out all our sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to Respect The Hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.
