Primetime Premier League: Expect goals between Saints and Ten Hag's United

Manchester United’s trip to Southampton is the standout fixture in the Premier League this Saturday. Can Erik ten Hag’s men build on their Liverpool win? Robin Bairner has the lowdown.

Red Devils hot favourites

Manchester United are back, or so it seems. After misfiring badly in the first two games of the season, a 2-1 win over Liverpool has set Erik ten Hag’s side up nicely for a trip to St Mary’s on Saturday.

Certainly, there is an expectation that they will overcome the Saints, who started the season slowly but have since picked up four points from two games.

Southampton are big outsiders considering United’s last away game resulted in a 4-0 defeat - you can back them at 4.6. The Red Devils, meanwhile, are on offer at 1.83 to claim their first away win of the season, with a draw available at 4.1. 

Saints marching on

Southampton suffered a chastening 4-1 loss against Tottenham on the opening day of the season, but recovered well to draw from two down against Leeds before beating Leicester last weekend.

Scotland striker Che Adams is their man in form. He netted both goals from the bench at the King Power Stadium, before replicating that achievement in the midweek Carabao Cup win at Cambridge.

Curiously, the team that has scored the opening goal in all three of Saints’ league matches this season has failed to go on and win the game. 

Pivotal period for Ten Hag

Following two defeats to start the Ten Hag era, United got their season going in style against Liverpool. The Dutchman shook up his team selection by leaving out Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo, which resulted in a 2-1 win.

Erik Ten Hag: Will hope Manchester United continue their momentum after beating Liverpool last week

With three games to play in the space of eight days, both players are likely to get some game time soon, but by the same token it would be understandable if the former Ajax boss wanted continuity after their Old Trafford success. 

Indeed, the challenge for the Red Devils is to maintain their momentum. United have lost seven away games in a row for the first time since 1936; another such reverse would eradicate all the hard work against Liverpool, and see them teetering on the brink of crisis once again. For that reason, this is a critical fixture. 

Man United represent little value

History points to a Manchester United win. St Mary’s has been a happy hunting ground for the Red Devils in the past – they have won eight of 14 trips to the venue, losing just one. 

It is worth noting, however, that six of the last nine matches between these clubs have ended in a draw. Indeed, of the last 12 games between this pair, only once have United won by more than a single goal – a famous 9-0 win in 2021. 

Ten Hag’s side look short priced given the only victory in their favour this season has come against an out-of-sorts Liverpool. Backing Southampton on the Asian handicap market at +1 offers tempting value.

For those who like to back the goals market, all six of the fixtures involving these clubs this season have seen at least three goals, while seven of the last eight matches between these teams have seen both teams score. 

Recommended bets

Back both teams to score @ 1.7
Back Southampton +1 Asian Handicap @ 1.7