EPL Manchester United vs Southampton Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction

One of the most accomplished clubs in English football are not experiencing their usual success this season, with more losses than wins so far. They also have a minus-5 goal difference after only scoring 23 in 20 – only four other teams in the league have scored less.

Despite being able to defeat Manchester City away from home in their fierce rivalry, they have sustained losses to Bournemouth, Spurs, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle and Brighton, amongst others.

Top-of-the-table team, Liverpool, have secured double the points than United, with a game in hand. However, they were able to hold Liverpool to a draw away from home on January 5, a great result to kickstart the New Year with, which was much needed after ending last year with four straight losses, conceding 11 goals and failing to score in any of their last three Premier League matches. They had a golden opportunity to take all three points against Liverpool but for Harry Maguire’s last-gasp shot sailing over the bar.

Their performance against Liverpool was the best they’ve played under Ruben Amorim, so could this be the turning point in their season? Only another decent showing and, ultimately, a win against Southampton can answer that question.

Just one win all season has all but secured Southampton’s fate already this season. Promoted via the Championship play-offs, the Saints haven’t won since November 2nd when they beat Everton 1-0 at home.

The Hampshire outfit have scored just 12 goals in 20 games and conceded the most in the league (joined with Leicester) with 44 goals against.

Their 5-0 drumming at the hands of Brentford in their last match, is now officially the worst start to a Premier League season ever. In 2006, Sunderland only managed six points at this stage as well, but with a healthier goal difference of -23 to Southampton’s -32.

The bottom three – Ipswich, Leicester, Southampton – currently have the exact same amount of points as Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United had at this time last year, who ended up being the worst promoted trio in Premier League history.

It’s not looking good for the Saints, who would need nothing short of a miracle to escape relegation back down to the Championship, which is something their fans already consider a certainty.