Southampton v Manchester United Betting Tips: Visitors to edge St Mary’s clash

Wednesday’s Premier League match looks a relatively low-key affair between two sides who have had disappointing seasons as Southampton host Manchester United.

Southampton brought their lengthy win-less run to an end on Saturday thanks to a 2-1 victory away at already-relegated Middlesbrough. This was the first time they had taken maximum points in six matches and kept them in the top ten.

Despite the fact they scored two at the weekend, The Saints have really struggled in the final third this campaign and, although it looked like Manolo Gabbiadini would cure these problems after arriving in January, he has now failed to find the back of the net since 4th March. In fact, Southampton’s double against Boro on Saturday was the first time they had scored a goal in three matches and only the second time they had scored at least twice in a game since 5th April. Having said that, one aspect in which we should give The Saints credit is their defence which has kept 13 clean sheets in 36 games – the best record outside the top seven.

Claude Puel’s side have really struggled at home in recent times with two losses in their last three and just one victory in their last seven in all competitions at St. Mary’s Stadium whilst they have failed to find the back of the net in their last three home games. In fact, their overall home record is the fourth-worst in the division with just 23 points taken from 17 matches. However, with a decent home clean sheet ratio of 41%, it is clear where the problems lie.

Manchester United are on a similarly bad run at the moment with just one win in their last six in all competitions along with no wins in their last four league matches, losing their last two. United are of course prioritising the Europa League over the Premier League and their mission to finish in the top four of the latter is now an impossible task with the gap to it now standing at seven points with just six left to play for.

Much like Southampton, Jose Mourinho’s men have only been good at the back this season and their Goals Against record of 29 is the second-best in the season. Unfortunately for them though, the front-line has been a massive disappointment and their 52 goals scored – 20 fewer than the Manchester City’s 72 which is the worst in the top four.

Away form has been fairly decent for the Red Devils this campaign and their points tally of 34 from 18 games away from Old Trafford is the fourth-best in the top flight whilst they also have the second-highest away clean sheet ratio with 44%. However, they have dipped quite significantly recently with two consecutive losses and just one goal scored in their last three league matches on the road. Having said that, going into this match, there may well be a bit of confidence as United have taken maximum points away at each of the teams from 8th – 13th in the table.

Despite the fact that United have been poor recently, I think that aforementioned statistic about their away points against the middle-ranking Premier League teams could have a big bearing here. Neither team have been particularly good in front of goal this season and Southampton have a good home clean sheet record so do not expect many here. With this in mind, ‘Manchester United to Win & Under 4.5 Goals’, at 21/10, is worth backing.

More Premier League tips can be found here.