Ronald Can Win Dutch Tussle

Southampton are inevitably underdogs (9/4 Coral) to win on Sunday despite home advantage, winning the last time the sides met, and a plethora of compelling stats.

That’s just what happens when a mid-sized club plays Manchester United.

But any sense that the Saints are a fading force after some notable departures in the summer should be quickly dismissed.

Both sides look to have decent defences. United have only conceded three goals and the fewest shots, but Southampton have picked up three league clean sheets in a row themselves.

But more interesting is what’s happening down the other end. Ronald Koeman’s boys have had the third most shots per game (16.6) but most importantly they are good quality efforts with 11.8 shots per game coming from inside the penalty area. Compare that to just 5.8 for the Red Devils.

Furthermore, the Saints can count themselves hard done to that 50% of shots on target against them have found the net so far in 2015-16. For United that number is just 23%.

Obviously van Gaal would claim this is all down to better play from his side, but in reality the south coast side are simply due a levelling out in luck. Southampton are playing well and all things being equal they can win at St Mary’s Stadium.