Sports Blog 08/12/2014: Match Preview – Southampton vs Manchester United, Monday 8th December

Despite the shine coming off in their last three games, Southampton are still sitting above a still-troubled Manchester United as they clash at St Mary’s on Monday night.

Whilst the Saints have drawn one and lost two in their last three games, and Manchester United have won their last four, these stats paint a black-and-white picture that is perhaps misleading. Louis van Gaal’s side still haven’t fully coalesced into the team they once were in a pre-van Gaal, pre-Moyes world, and many are still questioning their substance despite a four game winning streak. Bar a shaky away win against Arsenal, their other three wins came against Crystal Palace, Hull and Stoke; all inferior teams to this current Southampton incarnation, and crucially, all won at Old Trafford.

United have only won one of their last ten away matches, the aforementioned win at the Emirates; Southampton, on the other hand, have only lost one home game, their recent defeat against Manchester City. The Saints will be looking to resume their strong opening to the season after their recent slump, and a home game at St Mary’s against a team struggling with their away form is the perfect opportunity for this to happen.



However, despite their poor away form, here at Spreadex we have seen a lot of spread bets on Manchester United/Southampton (h) Goal Supremacy at a spread of 0-0.2, as well as buyers on the Total Goals spread of 2.55-2.75. This spread betting Supremacy figure perhaps suggests that United still have a long way to go to ever be seen as true underdogs, regardless of their precarious present situation.

There are also some interesting fixed odds betting opportunities for Monday night’s game. Saints’ top scorer Graziano Pelle is at 11/2 to score first, with 9 goals to his name this season. Interestingly, Southampton’s second top scorer with 3 goals is their right back Nathaniel Clyne; our Spreadex traders appear not to fancy his chances of scoring first, however, with odds of 200/1 for that outcome. Finally, Robin van Persie is Spreadex’s odds on favourite to score first, at 5/1; the Dutchman will be looking to rediscover his finishing boots as he tries to escape his goal-drought. If he does, he could make the difference for the travelling Red Devils.