ENGLISH FA CUP BETTING PICK - SOUTHAMPTON V MANCHESTER UNITED

English FA CUP

2009-01-04 - Southampton vs Manchester United

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Southampton v Manchester United
Football: England, FA Cup
Sunday 4th January 2009 - Kickoff 16:00

Southampton

Southampton have had a very tough season so far this season, with trouble brewing both on and off the pitch. This game was seen more as a financial reward rather than a potential chance for a cup upset when the draw was made.

The Saints sit in 23rd in the Championship with a 5-8-13 record, scoring 22 goals and conceding 40. This record leaves them 1 point away from the safety zone and they can ill-afford a relegation to the 3rd tier of English football. At St Mary's, Southampton are having the most trouble, only compiling a 1-6-6 record with 9 goals scored and 16 conceded.

Southampton do not come into this game with great heart as they have no wins in their last 8 games. They drew their last match 1-1 with stopped a 4 game losing run that they were on. They have also gone 8 games since they last won at home, although they have drawn 3 of their last 4 games there. Goals are a big problem for Southampton, with only 3 scored in their last 6 games at home.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Andrew Surman are both expected to return to the side. Adam Lallana is out and Lee Holmes is a doubt.

Manchester United

The reigning English, European and World Champions continue their assault on 4 fronts this season as they begin their FA Cup campaign.

United find themselves in 3rd place in the Premier League, are in the Semi Finals of the Carling Cup and the last 16 of the Champions League already and will want to cement their place in the 4th round of the FA Cup at the 1st attempt.

United are 11-5-2 in the Premier League with 29 goals scored and 10 conceded which leaves them 7 points behind Liverpool and with 2 games in hand. Away from Old Trafford, United are 4-4-2 with 9 goals scored and 6 conceded, but this record is a lot to do with the standard of teams they have met this season away from home.

The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions since losing at Arsenal, and have won 9 of those games. They come into this game with 4 wins in a row but will be concerned that they have only managed to score 3 goals in their last 3 games, all 1-0 wins. United are unbeaten in their last 5 away games, but have struggled for goals in those games, scoring only 2 goals, but they have also kept clean sheets in those games.

Carlos Tevez and Rio Ferdinand are not in the squad for this game and Sir Alex Ferguson has indicated that he may rest Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he has picked a very strong squad for this game although changes are expected. I would not be surprised if Van der Sar is rested although I would expect a strong side otherwise, with changes being made for the 1st leg of the Carling Cup Semi Final.

Head to Head

Southampton and Manchester United have not met since the Saints were relegated. On that occasion it was actually United's win that sent them down. They also met in the FA Cup that season at this same stage and United ran out 0-4 winners.

Southampton famously beat Man United 1-0 in the final of the 1976 FA Cup.

United have won 4 in a row against Southampton.

Prediction

Southampton have had a hard season but I feel they will be good enough to get out of trouble if they start improving their fortunes at home. This will be an extremely tough match for their young side, but one I am sure they will be relishing.

Manchester United are looking ominous in all of the competitions they have entered this season and look set to make a real move in their quest to retain their Premier League title. I feel United are not planning on resting players in favour of their youngsters, and they will have an experienced side out which will be more than capable of completing the win at the first time of asking.

I think United are going to be too strong in all departments and I think Sir Alex will ensure they are focused here. United to win comfortably.

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Manchester United to WIN