Manchester United vs Southampton Picks, Premier League Prediction & EPL Best Bets

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Manchester United vs Southampton Picks, Premier League Prediction & EPL Best Bets

Man Utd vs Southampton betting picks


The vibe around Manchester United has changed considerably after two positive away performances, but could quickly flip on Ruben Amorim and co if they don't take care of business at home to Southampton on Thursday (3pm ET).

The Red Devils returned to Old Trafford off the back of a gutsy performance in Sunday's FA Cup third round clash at Arsenal. The away side were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Diogo Dalot was sent off but dug in for a 1-1 draw after extra time before holding their nerve to win the penalty shootout.

Reaching round four of the FA Cup followed hot off the back of a 2-2 draw away to Liverpool, two performances which suggest United may be turning a corner under Amorim.

However, after Amorim suggested his team find it difficult to motivate themselves for games against the so-called smaller teams, there's a danger they might slip back into bad habits when hosting a Southampton side rock bottom of the EPL table.

The Saints have won one EPL game all season and are currently 10 points from safety after a disastrous campaign.

They did win their FA Cup third round tie at the weekend at home to Swansea, their first success under coach Ivan Juric, but betting sites don't give them much hope of a victory at Old Trafford, pricing Southampton at +900.

Man Utd vs Southampton betting predictions: Don't expect home walkover

Bettors wanting to back United will be lucky to get bigger odds than -330 on soccer betting sites so will need to get creative if they want to get with the home team.

One option is to go for a big home win. The Red Devils beat Southampton 3-0 at St Mary's in the reverse fixture and the Saints' last EPL game saw them thrashed 5-0 at home by Brentford.

Southampton are in danger of being the worst team in Premier League history. They have six points after 20 games, with Derby's haul of 11 in 2007-08, the record they won't want to beat.

Anything other than three points for United would be a disaster, and while Amorim's efforts are starting to produce results, they are far from the finished article.

After Sunday's exertions, this is a real test of United's ability to grind out a result and they can't be trusted to just roll Southampton over.

They haven't kept a clean sheet in 10 games and Southampton have tended to perform better on the road than at home.

Saints have drawn two of their last four away games in the league, while three of their last four road defeats have been by a one-goal margin.

It's also easy to overlook the fact United have failed to win any of their last six games in regulation time and a side not used to winning may only get over the line by the smallest of margins.

Man Utd vs Southampton prediction 1: Man Utd to win by one goal (+300 Bet365)

Man Utd vs Southampton betting picks: Flynn to go Downes in the referee's book

Southampton are hopeful midfielder Flynn Downes will make his return from a thigh injury on Thursday and if involved at Old Trafford, he's an interesting prop bet option.

The former West Ham and Swansea player has accumulated more yellow cards (eight) than any other Southampton player this season and only two players have received more bookings in the entire EPL.

Downes ranks 11th for most fouls given away in the league this season and before his spell out through injury, he'd received four cards in his previous six appearances.

You won't find Downes at massive odds on betting apps to be carded, but he's still worth considering if available, particularly with card-happy referee Jonathan Brooks in charge of this game.

Man Utd vs Southampton prediction 2: Flynn Downes to be shown a card (+160 Bet365)

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