Man United v Southampton: Back Robin to fill his boots in home win on Sunday afternoon

Robin van Persie has a great scoring record against Southampton

Luke Moore previews Southampton's visit to Old Trafford and thinks the Manchester United steamroller will roll on...

Man United v Southampton
Sunday, 16:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Manchester United

Manchester United are in pretty rude form at the moment. They've won seven and drawn three of their last ten league games and can look forward to the return of several important players from injury, including Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind. What's more, their current record at Old Trafford is imperious, winning eight of their last nine and losing none, according to Opta.

Louis van Gaal knows that these players returning from injury will improve his side, not only in personnel but in motivation through further competition for places and they welcome the visit of Southampton in confident mood. Only Ashley Young, experiencing a renaissance in form at wing back, is missing through injury.

Southampton

Southampton have bounced back from losing four straight league games before Christmas and after a good, confident win over Arsenal are now unbeaten in four in the Premier League. Ronald Koeman knows this will be a tough assignment though, the St Mary's outfit have a poor record at Old Trafford and haven't won there since January 1988.

Despite a win against Arsenal - a side there for the taking on some days - there is a feeling that Koeman's men have something of the flat track bully about them, and one wonders if they have the quality to keep out a vibrant, swashbuckling United side going forward. The Saints' defence is good, but is it good enough? One positive for the away side is that Nathaniel Clyne has overcome an ankle complaint and is in line to play.

Match Odds

United go into this game as favourites, as you would expect, but for my money they're actually a bit on the long side. 1.910/11 for a side in this sort of form against a team who come unstuck against the very best and haven't won at this venue for 26 years looks generous.

Southampton are available to back at 4.77/2, and The Draw is there at 3.814/5. I personally can't see anything other than a home win here, and 1.910/11 is attractive to me. Despite their problems over the last 18 months or so, this United team is starting to look more and more settled and has a great, experienced manager at the helm. They have some improving to do, but we could be getting up to full steamroller mode soon and I don't think the south coast outfit visiting on Sunday will be able to deal with their hosts.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

This is an interesting market, chiefly because United score lots, but Southampton don't concede many. So it'll be fascinating to see what the outcome of that particular area of the pitch will be. United concede a fair few themselves though and give a lot of chances away yet still win games. They've secured four clean sheets in their last ten matches. 

I think Overs is quite overpriced here at 2.1411/10. Both these teams have goals in them, United will give chances away and I doubt the visitors' rearguard can keep United out. I'd be interested in backing Overs at that price.

To Score

Robin van Persie loves to fill his boots against Southampton. Opta tell us he's got seven in his last seven against them, and he's been in pretty good form recently. The Dutchman is United's joint top scorer in the league with eight goals and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see him get on the scoresheet on Sunday afternoon.

He's available at 2.26/5 to score at any time on the Sportsbook, and that's what I'll be advising here. If you want to be a bit braver you can back him to open the scoring at 5.59/2.

Recommended Bets

Back Manchester United to win at 1.910/11
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 2.1411/10
Back Robin van Persie to score at any time at 2.26/5 (Sportsbook)

Luke Moore 2014-15 Premier League P/L

Staked: 40pts
Returned: 40.6pts
P/L: +0.6pts