Southampton FC will be travelling to face Manchester United in a Premier League clash tonight at Old Trafford.
The home side are currently sat 15th in the Premier League whilst the away side continue to be rooted at the foot of the table.
Both teams will come into this fixture off the back of a win in the FA Cup. Southampton breezed past Championship side Swansea with a 3-0 win on Sunday, while the hosts beat Arsenal at the Emirates on penalties to secure their spot in the fourth round.
The Saints will be hoping to get their first points of the 2025 calendar year as they continue their search for their first win in the Premier League since early November where they beat Everton 1-0.
The Red Devils will also be looking for a league win after only gaining four points in their last five games. Despite this poor form, the home side earned a crucial point against rivals Liverpool which has given the side a boost of confidence.
Even though Southampton will be coming into this fixture with confidence following their FA Cup victory, they are currently on a run of 10 games without a win and have struggled to score goals at a consistent rate.
The reverse fixture in the League earlier on this season saw United come away from St Mary’s with a 3-0 win, but with both teams having new managers, the script may be different.
Due to his red card against Arsenal, Diogo Dalot will be suspended for this fixture and Marcus Rashford is unlikely to be involved due to his uncertain future at the club.
Southampton will be without captain Jack Stephens and striker Ross Stewart whilst summer signing Flynn Downs will still be working towards match fitness following a thigh issue that he developed in late December.
Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes will most likely be at the root of attacking success for the Saints however, they have only contributed four direct goal involvements between them this season.
Ivan Juric, the manager of Southampton FC said: “I am optimistic we can play a good game the guys are working well they are a little bit more confident after the confident so we will see.
“I want my team to play with confidence, aggressiveness and try to do something.”
Even if the Saints get a win today they will still remain bottom of the Premier League table but, the teams around them may be quietly worried about an improved south coast side.
Both sides will be keen to win this fixture as a victory for either side could prove vital to kickstarting a better half of the season.
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