The sky is no longer falling at Old Trafford, where Manchester United are still flying high from their derby win over Liverpool on Monday night.
However, Man United must now turn the page if they wish to continue their ascent up the Premier League table, as they face the long trip down to the South Coast to face Southampton.
Both sides at St. Mary's have gotten off to underwhelming starts in the new EPL season, and we break down their match with our Southampton vs. Manchester United picks and predictions.
Southampton vs Manchester United match odds
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Southampton vs Manchester United betting picks
- Prediction: Man United ML (-129)
- Prediction: Southampton TT Under 0.5 (+205)
- Best bet: Man United ML (-129)
Predictions made on 8/25/2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Southampton vs Manchester United game info
• Location: St. Mary's, Southampton, England
• Date: Saturday, August 27, 2022
• Time: 7:30 a.m. ET
• TV: USA Network
Southampton vs Manchester United betting preview
Weather
A clear, calm day in Southampton is forecast for Saturday. Some clouds are expected, but otherwise, clear conditions with temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff.
Injuries
Southampton: Valentino Livramento LB (Out).
Manchester United: Victor Lindelof CB (Questionable).
Southampton vs Manchester United predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Side analysis
Before Man United exploited a terrible Liverpool performance en route to their first result of the season, they enjoyed a major victory.
Their signing of Casemiro from Real Madrid was a coup unlike any they've enjoyed for years in the transfer market — one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, a key cog for five Champions League-winning Madrid teams, and one of the most important players for World Cup favorites Brazil... coming to a dysfunctional club without Champions League this season.
Casemiro's arrival is far more than proof that Man United still have pulling power on the market. It solidifies what had long been their biggest flaw on the pitch, and helps to round out what is becoming an increasingly impressive starting 11.
The security Casemiro — expected to make his debut at St. Mary's — will provide the rest of the outfield cannot be overstated. He'll help to protect a backline that appears settled and performed well against Liverpool, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez flanked by Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia. He'll also enable Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen to operate higher up the pitch, where they're best suited.
Compound Casemiro's impact with the insertion of Marcus Rashford at striker, which allows Man U to actually press high as opposed to wheeling around the Trojan Horse that is Cristiano Ronaldo at this stage of his career, and the team is starting to look like, well, a team instead of a collection of poorly coached individuals.
Man U have a long way to go until they're punching with the league's heavyweights, and frankly, they still need to prove they can fight for Top 4 this year. However, they have the quality to beat anyone outside the big six, and as Arsenal's slow start last season proved, overreacting to sluggish starts for strong teams can be foolish.
Manchester United are a flawed team but they have plenty of talent, and will go away to Southampton and take three points from a club with far more glaring flaws.
Prediction: Manchester United moneyline (-129 at Betway)
Over/Under analysis
Those of us, myself included, who have remained unconvinced by Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl and expected the club to flirt with relegation this season are feeling good. Though the Saints have taken four points from their first three games, there has been a lot left to desire — especially in attack.
In Southampton's three games so far — a 4-1 loss to Spurs, a 2-2 draw with Leeds, and a 2-1 win over Leicester — they've totaled 1.0 expected goals just once (vs. Leeds), while otherwise finishing with 0.5 xG (Spurs) and 0.7 (Leicester).
A tally of 2.3 xG from five goals scored is ugly but made worse by two of their five goals being helped by deflections. They simply are not creating chances at any sort of high rate, with their 14.67 shot-creating actions per 90 the third-lowest mark in the Prem.
They lack talent in attack, especially against a stronger side like Man United, which will force James Ward-Prowse — their chief creator — to play a heightened defensive role.
Man United's newfound backline of Dalot-Varane-Martinez-Malacia, protected by Casemiro, is a departure from Man U defensive lines of old. This is a mobile, technically skilled group that can beat a press just as well as they can defend deep — both things they did against one of the best attacks the Premier League has ever seen last week. They shouldn't have any problems holding Southampton out.
Prediction: Southampton team total Under 0.5 (+205 at DraftKings)
Best bet
Manchester United's poor start — and the dramatics which have surrounded it — has afforded us a chance at good value.
Man U are never too far from teetering on disaster these days, but at -129, it's good value on a side that's expected to push for a Champions League place against a relegation candidate.
It hasn't been a straightforward start, but their win over Liverpool proved a lot of things. Erik ten Hag is a quality manager who, when empowered to set up a team in his vision (read: without Ronaldo wandering about), can have his new club punching with their traditional rivals.
As for the hosts, the start to their season has only reaffirmed the danger at which their Premier League status sits. What's setting up to be a long season will appear as much on Saturday as Southampton fall at home to Manchester United.
Pick: Manchester United moneyline (-129 at Betway)
