Southampton v Manchester United – Monday 20:00
Monday night’s clash at Saint Mary’s should prove to be a thrilling encounter as Southampton will look to continue playing their free-flowing football that has seen them climb to third place in the league. The Saints will be confident that they can take all three points from the game against the side that sit a place below them in the league, and extend the margin to four points.
Whilst Southampton were unfortunate to go down to a late goal against Arsenal on Wednesday night, one man who didn’t deserve to be on the losing side was goalkeeper Fraser Forster. The England international made seven saves during the game to keep his side level until the 88th minute. The 6’7’’ shot stopper is averaging 2.7 saves per goal conceded according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, and will look to keep his fifth clean sheet in seven games on Monday.
At the back, Nathaniel Clyne is in the form of his life at the moment, as backed up by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The full back has already created one goal and scored two this season, and his top speed of 34.2km/h shows why he is such a threat. Defensively, his statistics only get better and he has won 63 tackles this season, winning 80.8% of his tackles overall. He has also racked up 26 interceptions which, combined with his pace, help Southampton turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
Up top, Graziano Pelle has been on lethal form so far this season, and he will look to continue in the same vain on Monday night. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us that the Italy international has already bagged six goals this season and unselfishly laid on a further four goals for his teammates. Pelle has covered 138.8km already this season and it is the non stop movement and work rate that will not give United a second’s rest on Monday. He is 9/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Manchester United will provide a tough test for Southampton on Monday night, as they look to become only the second team this season to record five back-to-back wins, alongside Newcastle. The Red Devils will be looking to make the long trip down to the South coast worthwhile with a victory that would see them leapfrog their opponents.
Much like Southampton, United find themselves with one of the league’s in form goal keepers, in the shape of David De Gea. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that the Spain international did not have to make a save until the final minute of the game against Stoke, but his two saves in the week earned his side all three points. De Gea is averaging 2.25 saves made for every goal conceded, and will be hoping that his fifth clean sheet of the season will only increase that figure.
Defender Luke Shaw will be looking to make his first return to St. Mary’s following his move to Old Trafford, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us what a good start he has made to his career for United. The left back has won an impressive 85.7% of his tackles so far this campaign, also adding another 27 clearances to that tally. He has also illustrated his attacking qualities with 12 dribbles and 17 crosses into the box, and will hope that he can have a successful return to his boyhood club.
In the middle of the park, Marouane Fellaini is currently showing the type of form that saw United stump up the requested transfer fee from Everton. The Belgian international, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, has not only created a goal and scored twice, but also shown his all round qualities. Fellaini has won 69.4% of his 36 tackles and made 10 interceptions, and shown his quality on the ball by completing 87.9% of his 415 passes this season. He is 6/1 to score for the second game in a row with 888sport.com.
Southampton v Manchester United Team News:
The Saints come into the game with several injury concerns. Following Morgan Schneiderlin’s recent absence from the team, Jack Cork and Toby Alderweireld have also been ruled out. Cork will remain out for almost six weeks with an injury to his ankle, while the versatile Alderweireld has a hamstring injury after he walked out of the game for the final ten minutes against Arsenal. United on the other hand, will have captain Wayne Rooney back in the side after recovering from his knee injury.
The Red devils still has a number of first team players absent as the likes of Di Maria and Blind are nursing long term injuries.
Southampton v Manchester United Match Facts:
- Southampton are on a three-match winless run (D1, L2).
- They have only scored one goal in those three matches.
- Saints have taken 16 points from a possible 21 at home.
- Ronald Koeman’s side have kept clean sheets in half of their 14 league games this season.
- United have won four successive league matches for the first time in 2014.
- They have only lost one of their last nine league games (W6, D2).
- Only six of United’s 25 points this season have come away from home.
Facts compiled from BBC.
Southampton v Manchester United Possible lineups:
Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Bertrand, Wanyama, Yoshida, S. Davis, Tadic, Long, Pelle
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Young; Herrera, Fellaini, Carrick, Mata; Van Persie, Rooney
Southampton v Manchester United Prediction:
A 1-2 win for the away side.
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.