Manchester United travel south to Saint Mary’s on the back of a much-needed win against Liverpool at Old Trafford last time out. The Saints also won last time out against Leicester, as both teams look to break into the top half of the table.
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Predicted Lineups
Southampton will line up back to full strength after resting many of the team in their 3-0 EFL Cup win at Cambridge United. Only Che Adams and Adam Armstrong will keep their places.
The lineup will be similar to the one at the King Power Stadium , with just Adams coming in up top ahead of Mara. He scored twice off the bench, and another brace against Cambridge.
Ten Hag shook up his lineup against Liverpool, and it certainly worked out. Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford got on the scoresheet and keep their spots.
The big change is with new £70m statement signing Casemiro making his debut in midfield alongside Eriksen.
Team Stats
The Saints have hit the back of the net in all of their competitive matches this season, scoring 4 and conceding 7 in 3 matches.
Despite this, they’ve been registering just 3 shots on target per match, and their xG comes in below 1.
The opposing team has on average registered more goals, shots, shots on targets, corners and even cards.
Unlike Southampton, United have been underperforming compared to their xG. Just 1 goal a game despite an xG of 1.81.
I’d expect a free-flowing game given United’s ability to register and concede shots – averaging 15 at each end.
They don’t tend to outperform the other team massively in any stat, apart from racking up the cards.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Che Adams has registered more shots and shots on target per 90 than any other Saints player. This has rewarded him with a start today.
Aribo, Lavia, Elyounoussi and Ward-Prowse will all chip in with the shots too.
Despite playing in a more defensive position last time out, Eriksen has been played as a 9 and a 10 under Ten Hag – he tops the shots per 90 for United.
The big threats on the Saints goal will be Rashford, Sancho and Ronaldo. They registered most of the shots against Liverpool with the first two getting on the scoresheet.
A surprise contender for a shot is right-back Dalot, who’s been free to get forward.
Player Goals
Che Adams came off the bench against Leicester to score twice in their comeback win. He also scored twice against Cambridge earlier on in the week.
Another threat at de Gea’s goal is Ward-Prowse – given the number of fouls and cards they’ve conceded, Southampton will be calling upon the free-kick specialist.
United players only managed to score their first of the season against Liverpool – a Mac Allister own goal against Brighton was their first goal.
Rashford and Sancho got on the scoresheet, whilst Sancho will take the credit for that Brighton own goal on Matchday 1.
Southampton Cards
Living up to their name, the Saints have had just 4 cards in their first 3 games this season.
It’s worth mentioning Mohamed Elyounoussi, who in his 2 appearances this season has made 8 fouls in just 153 minutes of football – receiving a booking for one of them.
Bruno Fernandes has been drawing in the most fouls for United, whilst Martial has been attempting the most dribbles.
Match-ups to Watch:
Elyounoussi vs Martinez
Walker-Peters vs Rashford
Salisu vs Fernandes
Manchester United Cards
McTominay and Maguire top United’s long disciplinary list, with the latter being rewarded with a spot on the bench.
I expect the same t happen to McTominay today, with new signing Casemiro replacing him. He’s no saint, topping Madrid’s cards and fouls list – making 67 fouls (2.35 p/90) last season, and getting 11 yellows.
Left-back Djenepo has drawn the most fouls for Southampton, as well as attempting the most dribbles.
Bella-Kotchap and Lavia are also both up there, and are going to be a handful for Fernandes to deal with.
Match-Ups to Watch:
Fernandes vs Lavia
Dalot vs Djenepo
Martinez vs Walker Peters
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And that’s all for this Stats Pack. My prediction is 2-1 to United.
