Premier League: South Coast Awaits Next Chapter in Classic Fixture

Southampton vs Manchester United

Now here is a fixture to evoke memories of yesteryear.

Tons of Southampton and Manchester United fans will certainly have plenty of happy times in the memory bank, alongside some days they would happily forget.

For example, Southampton relished successive Premier League clashes in the mid-90s: firstly when a Matt Le Tissier inspired side – as so often was the case – scored three first-half goals and threatened to derail United’s title challenge – so much so that the visitors emerged for the second half wearing a different kit after complaining they were struggling to pick out one another.

The following season, they hit six past the defending champions, who ended up scoring three themselves and playing 70 minutes with 10 men.

Southampton will also fondly recall Louis van Gaal’s two seasons in charge at United as they won both games 1-0 at Old Trafford (ironically, van Gaal won both his matches on Southampton turf).

Of course, United have their own special memories against the Saints, such as clinching the 2000 title with a rampant performance at the Dell; a Robin van Persie-inspired comeback in 2012 when the away fans went wild after they came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 in the closing minutes and, of course, who could forget Eric Cantona’s sumptuous chip in a 3-1 United triumph in 1993.

So, it is against that backdrop and a history comprising Premier League 2021 highlights galore that these two sides meet on Sunday.

Talking Points

Bruno Fernandes aims to score more goals in the upcoming Premier League match — Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their first goal

After their exhilarating opening day win against Leeds, this provides another test for United which should tell us how much they are progressing or otherwise.

Certainly, it will be interesting to compare with this fixture two seasons ago when United, after starting the campaign fairly well, showed just how far they were from challenging at the top in a 1-1 draw.

For Southampton, who took the lead at Everton last weekend before slipping to a 3-1 defeat, it’s a first home match in front of a full house for almost 18 months. It’s a chance to exact some revenge following their last clash with United in February and, potentially, the start of a mini rebuild after they sold their best defender Jannik Vestergaard to Leicester City last week, hot on the heels of the departure of their best striker, Danny Ings, to Aston Villa.

On the plus side on the south coast, Ings’ replacement Adam Armstrong netted on his debut at Goodison Park and looks like someone who carries a goal threat.

In his two and a half years in charge, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has impressed with his recruitment and, judging by the opening weekend of the season, has bought well in Armstrong and also made a shrewd acquisition in Tino Livramento at right-back.

Hasenhuttl will only be too well-aware, however, that replacing the likes of Vestergaard and Ings is no easy task and, while his side impressed in spells at Everton, they did lack the incisive touch to turn tidy approach play and well-organised pressing into a tangible reward.

Presumably, they can ill afford such a repeat against a United side with a point to prove to their doubters.

opacity 0

CLICK HERE
TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

Premier League

History

Last season saw United complete a league double over the Saints.

That seemed unlikely when they trailed 2-0 at half-time at St Mary’s last November after Jan Bednarek and a superb James Ward-Prowse free-kick put them in the ascendancy.

However, they had reckoned without the official introduction to English football of Edinson Cavani.

He came on as a half-time substitute and helped turned the game on its head, netting twice, including a last-gasp winner, to seal a superb comeback with Bruno Fernandes also on target.

In the return fixture last February at Old Trafford, Southampton never stood a chance.

Already hampered by the absence of a number of key players, they were reduced to 10 men within two minutes and the outcome was never in doubt from that moment as ruthless United rolled in a record-equalling nine goals without reply.

Overall, United have 67 triumphs, compared to Southampton’s 28 and 34 draws.

The Saints have not won any of the past 11 encounters and last beat United at home in August 2003, thanks to a late James Beattie goal.

Betting Tip

	Southampton vs Manchester United	Manchester United Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.77
	August 22, 21:00 (GMT+8)

It is no surprise that the SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds make United firm favourites.

They are priced 1X2 @ 1.61 and can also be backed with Asian Handicap odds -0.75 @ 1.79 and -1.25 @ 2.35. Southampton, meanwhile, are available to tip 1X2 @ 5.00, Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.16, while the draw is on offer @ 4.00.

A re-run of last season’s five-goal thriller – correct score 2-3 – will pay out @ 21.00.

I do think there will be goals in this game and, if you agree, perhaps consider over 3.00 goals @ 2.12 and total goal 4-6 @ 2.91.

I am going to plump for a United victory on the Asian Handicap market.