Southampton welcome Manchester United to the south coast on Sunday afternoon, as Ralph Hasenhuttl's men look to carry on their quality performances against an in-form United side.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes recently, as they have come out triumphant in their last three games. However, they come up against a Saints side who, since losing their opening two league games, have won five and drawn two.
The hosts, who have won their last three home league games 2-0, play host to a team that have won their last seven away games in the Premier League and can set a new record of eight on Sunday. It's going to be tough to call.
? Ole: "We have a good away record since the turn of January — since then we've pushed up the table.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 27, 2020
"We're getting that consistency. This will be a good test to see if we've learned our lessons from last season."#MUFC #SOUMUN pic.twitter.com/uFb8ZlSrUg
The Red Devils will see this as a must-win game, as three points would help them close the gap between themselves and the top four, while Hasenhuttl will demand victory to continue to lay a solid platform for a European challenge.
Where to Watch
When is Kick-Off? Sunday 29 November
What Time is Kick-Off? 14:00
Where is it Played? St. Mary's Stadium
TV Channel? Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League (UK), NBCSN (USA)
Referee? Jonathon Moss
Team News
Danny Ings (knee) is still absent for Southampton, while Nathan Redmond is also out with a hamstring problem.
Solskjær: "Scott [McTominay] and Paul [Pogba] didn't train this morning, they weren't on the grass. They look very unlikely for the weekend." #mulive
— utdreport (@utdreport) November 27, 2020
For United, Marcus Rashford, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan Bissaka should all be fit to start. However, Luke Shaw is still out (hamstring) and Solskjaer admits Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay will likely not feature due to knocks.
Predicted Lineups
Southampton: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Armstrong, Romeu, Ward-Prowse; Djenepo, Adams, Walcott
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; Fred, Van de Beek; Mata, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Recent Form
Southampton have proved to be something of a surprise this season. Since the first two games, in which they picked up no points, they've gone on to climb up the table into fifth place, picking up 17 points in seven matches (W5, D2).
Hasenhuttl's men have shown no signs of slowing down in recent weeks, especially at home. The Saints have comfortably won their last three home games, all by two goals to nil, and they have the opportunity to make it four league clean sheets in a row at St. Mary's for the first time since February 2016.
✅✅?✅✅✅?
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 24, 2020
7️⃣ unbeaten ? pic.twitter.com/rcggdDRBmT
As for Solskjaer's men, they have the chance to make history with eight consecutive away wins in the Premier League.
United have had a little resurgence since the troubling week in which they lost to Arsenal at Old Trafford and away at Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League. They've won their last three, which will have instilled some confidence - especially the great showing in Europe on Tuesday night against Istanbul Basaksehir.
Solskjaer will go into this tie with high hopes, given the side's away form in the league, but will have to contend with the prospect of running low on fitness. The Norwegian's men will be playing their sixth match this month, while it will be Southampton's fourth.
Southampton
Wolves 1-1 Southampton (23/11)
Southampton 2-0 Newcastle (6/11)
Aston Villa 3-4 Southampton (1/11)
Southampton 2-0 Everton (25/10)
Chelsea 3-3 Southampton (17/10)
Manchester United
Manchester United 4-1 Istanbul Basaksehir (24/11)
Manchester United 1-0 West Brom (21/11)
Everton 1-3 Manchester United (7/11)
Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Manchester United (4/11)
Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal (1/11)
Prediction
As previously stated, this one is tough to call. It will no doubt be tightly contested and it's hard to see which side's respective home and away form will falter.
Although Southampton have seen off recent visitors comfortably, an in-form United might be too much of an ask for Hasenhuttl's men. Solskjaer's side look tough to beat, especially away from home, while Southampton don't look ready to give up their unbeaten run. It might be a day for sharing at St Mary's.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Manchester United
Source: 90min
