Prediction and odds for the game: Manchester United (1/2) vs Southampton (5/1)
We are backing the home win
When: Tuesday, 2nd February 2021, Kick-off 20:15
Where: Old Trafford
On Tuesday night, Manchester United host Southampton at Old Trafford, as the Red Devils look to get back to winning ways.
Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team are now three points behind league leaders and arch-rivals Manchester City, who have a game in hand on the home team. United’s title bid has hit a bump in the road of late, as they have now taken just one point from their last two matches against Sheffield United and Arsenal.
In fact, the goalless draw against the Gunners means that United have won just one of their last four matches in the Premier League. It is certainly not the form of English top-flight winners.
Manchester United’s recent home form in the English top-flight has decent, as before the shock 2-1 defeat by Sheffield United, they were unbeaten in five league games at Old Trafford. They had also recorded four wins in those five home matches.
Despite the attacking talent at the disposal of Solskjaer, United’s recent home matches in the top-flight have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last eight league outings.
Southampton
The visitor’s hopes of clinching a European spot this season have been hindered by a poor recent run of results in the Premier League. The Saints have slipped to 11th place in the table, six points behind fifth-place West Ham, who host Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
A 1-0 home defeat on Saturday means that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team has suffered three straight defeats in the Premier League, having won just one of their previous eight league matches. The visitors recent league encounters have been relatively low-scoring with under 2.5 goals scored in seven of their last eight games. The fact that they have failed to score in five of their last seven top-flight outings has been a big factor those low-scoring matches.
Southampton have won just one of their last five away games in the Premier League, although three of those winless games have ended all-square. Like their recent matches in the top-flight, the Saints recent away games have been low-scoring.
Influential centre-back Jannik Vestergaard is close to a return to fitness, which will be a big boost for the Saints. The Danish defender played a key role in the visitors good run earlier this season.
Conclusion
Neither of these teams has been at their best of late in the Premier League. However, our gut feeling suggests that the home team will claim a victory in a relatively tight clash. Therefore we are also backing under 2.5 goals scored.
Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 1/2 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 6/5. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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