2024-25 Premier League MW21 Preview - Man Utd v Southampton: Can the Red Devils exorcise the Saints at Old Trafford? January 16, 2025 by Marc Jerbs

As the Premier League season heats up, Matchweek 21 features an intriguing encounter between Manchester United and Southampton, set to take place on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the iconic Old Trafford. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM GMT. This match promises to be important for both teams as they navigate their contrasting forms in the league.

Manchester United enters this fixture amidst a period of revitalization under the management of Ruben Amorim. Following a shaky start to the season, United has gradually begun to show signs of improvement, with their recent performances against higher-ranked teams such as Liverpool and Arsenal boosting morale in the dressing room. Amorim's side comes into this match after a noteworthy FA Cup victory against Arsenal, where they displayed a new attacking urgency and tactical coherence that had been lacking earlier in the season. However, they will be missing key players due to injuries and suspensions. Diogo Dalot is set to sit out due to a suspension following a red card, while Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans are all injured.

On the other side, Southampton finds itself in desperate need of points as they battle the specter of relegation. Currently sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table, they have struggled to find consistent form, managing just one win in their last eight league matches. However, their recent FA Cup win over Swansea City has offered a glimmer of hope and perhaps a much-needed morale boost ahead of this challenging encounter. Coach Ivan Juric's side still faces significant injury concerns, including key midfielders Jack Stephens and Ross Stewart, who are expected to miss out due to ongoing fitness issues.

Man Utd v Southampton Sports Bet Odds

The Red Devils are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

• The Red Devils are favored by 2 points, with a full-time result of 1.30.
• The Saints are the underdogs by 2 points, with a full-time result of 8.50.
• Draw has a full-time result of 6.00.
• Total Goals is set at 2.5 points, with the Under at 2.62 and the Over at 1.50.

From a tactical perspective, Manchester United under Amorim has recently adjusted its formation to a 3-4-3 system, aiming to harness the attacking prowess of players like Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes. United's strategy is expected to focus on quick transitions and exploiting the flanks, particularly targeting Southampton's weaknesses on defense. The midfield duo of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte will be critical in controlling the game's tempo, offering both defensive cover and supporting their wing-backs in attack.

In contrast, Southampton will likely adopt a more conservative approach, opting to play deeper and utilizing counter-attacks to exploit United's defensive gaps, especially given their struggles against teams that press high. Juric's side will need to stay compact defensively, as they aim to draw the home team out and capitalize on the spaces left behind. Key players such as Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Che Adams will be central to Southampton's hopes of snagging points away from home.

The match will feature several crucial individual battles, but one to watch is between Manchester United's center-backs, particularly Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, against Southampton's attacking players. How effectively United can neutralize Adams’ pace and creativity, as well as Southampton's ability to exploit set-pieces, will likely determine the outcome of the match.

Another pivotal contest will occur in midfield, where Mainoo and Ugarte will face off against the likes of Flynn Downes. The ability of each side to control possession and dictate play from the midfield will be crucial in setting the tone for the match.

This encounter promises to be a compelling clash as both teams vie for crucial points in their respective battles—Manchester United seeking to secure a top-four position and Southampton fighting to avoid relegation. With injuries and suspensions affecting both lineups, the match will rely heavily on tactics and individual performances. Fans will certainly be in for an engaging spectacle as the Red Devils hope to assert their dominance at home while the Saints look to snatch a vital away victory. The stakes could not be higher as these two clubs prepare to square off at Old Trafford.

2024-25 Premier League Table