Manchester United and Southampton meet in top four clash
Manchester United are undefeated against Southampton in their last 11 matches in all competitions, winning nine, and are odds-on 5/6 favourites with Coral for victory once more. The Red Devils’ last two triumphs against them were 2-1 results, and are priced at a more tempting 8/1 for that scoreline in their favour again.
Title third-favourites United (16/1) are still just in the hunt to reclaim the top flight trophy from neighbours City, as they are nine points behind joint-top duo Chelsea and the Citizens. They must beat the Saints in order to keep up the pace, but are up against a team back in form.
Back in late November and early December, Southampton went on a run of four straight losses, but have won three of their last four to keep their place in the top four. They are up against it at Old Trafford, but claimed a 1-1 draw here last term, so are 13/5 to share the spoils once more, and 6/1 for that scoreline.
This will be more than just another Premier League encounter between Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal and Saints manager Ronald Koeman, as the former Barcelona coaching colleagues reportedly don’t get on.
But it was the former who gained bragging rights from the two sides’ meeting at St Mary’s just over a month ago, with United winning 2-1, despite creating limited chances.
It was another Dutchman in Robin van Persie, who has six goals in five games against the Saints, that stole the show, scoring both for the visitors. He is a tempting 6/5 chance to net anytime again, and 6/1 for a brace or better.
Van Persie is likely to be partnered up front with Radamel Falcao once more, with the Colombian finally beginning to show the Premier League what all the hype about him is about. Falcao is 5/4 to get at goal anytime.
For Southampton, back Italy striker Graziano Pelle, who was on target against United this season. He is 2/1 in the anytime market.
In-demand Morgan Schneiderlin, meanwhile, also has a goal to his name against the Red Devils, so take tempting odds of 7/1 if you fancy the France star to net at Old Trafford.
Man Utd have suffered injuries throughout the whole season, but have the likes of Angel Di Maria, Rafael, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Antonio Valencia back in training. They could all feature here too, with only Ashley Young absent.
The Saints will be without Maya Yoshida and Sadio Mane, though, who are away at the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively. But they are boosted with the return of Nathaniel Clyne and Jack Cork.
