This midweek preview sees a solitary midweek fixture in Southampton and Arsenal, then the following day Manchester United take on Celta Vigo at Old Trafford in the Europa League Semi-Final.

Southampton vs Arsenal – Wednesday 10th May 2017 – 19:45

Southampton-Arsenal

Southampton are 13/5 with Manolo Gabbiadini at 6/1 to score first.

Southampton welcome Arsenal to St.Mary's in the Premier League, with the Saints looking to build on the weekends draw.

The Saints come into this match on the back of a 0-0 draw away against Liverpool, in a goalless stalemate.

Liverpool dominated this encounter, with 65% possession, 17 total shots and 8 shots on target.

For the first time in his Liverpool career, James Milner missed a penalty with Fraser Forster denying Liverpool a vital three points.

It is the second time that the Saints have defied Liverpool at Anfield, beating them in the league cup Semi-Final at Anfield.

Mixed Season

The Saints have had a reasonably mixed bag throughout the season, that result ensures they remain in 10th place.

That is now back to back draws for Southampton, with goalless draws against Hull and now Liverpool.

Despite their mixed run of form they have had a good season, also reaching the EFL Cup final.

Claude Puel's side will be looking to catch West Brom, who have a three-point advantage but the Saints have a game in hand.

Saints Underdogs

Southampton come into this match as underdogs, with Arsenal's pedigree informing the bookies.

This will be a tough fixture for Claude Puel's side, with Arsenal fighting for a top four finish.

The Saints will be looking to avenge the result earlier in the season, which saw them lose 5-0 to Arsenal in the FA Cup.

St Mary's Stadium

Spirited Tigers

The Gunners come into this match in mixed form, with Arsenal beating Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates in midweek.

Both sides struggled to break the deadlock, with Wayne Rooney wasting a glorious opportunity to put United ahead.

Granit Xhaka opened the scoring for Arsenal (54), with his long range effort deflecting off Ander Herrera, leaving De Gea helpless.

Former United striker Danny Welbeck (57) made it 2-0 just minutes later, heading in Oxlade Chamberlain's cross.

It was an even affair, with both sides sharing equal possession but United were toothless in their attack especially after going 1-0 down.

Ultimately it means that Arsenal maintain their pursuit of the top four, they have a two-game advantage on Liverpool.

Gunners Need Maximum Points

The Gunners now desperately need to register four wins in the league, with a top four finish drifting away from them.

They have been beaten twice in their last six matches, winning four matches either side of that.

They will need maximum wins as they are competing against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool for a top four spot.

Gunners Favourites

Arsenal come into this match as the underdogs, despite their good form but a defeat here would unravel the weekend's result.

Wenger's men will be looking to finish the season in style, in truth they will need maximum wins to have any chance of finishing fourth.

Arsenal will be looking to draw on their excellent overall record against Southampton, they have won 40, drawn 22 and lost 20 of 82 meetings.

Arsenal are 1/1 with Alexis Sanchez at 4/1 to open the scoring.

 

 

Manchester United vs Celta Vigo – Thursday 11th May 2017 – 20:05 - BT Sport 1

Celta-Vigo-Manchester-United

Manchester United are 4/7 with Marcus Rashford at 7/2 to score first.

Manchester United welcome Celta Vigo to Old Trafford in the second leg of the Europa League Semi-Final.

Manchester United come into the match on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal, ending their excellent unbeaten run.

Both sides struggled to break the deadlock, with Wayne Rooney wasting a glorious opportunity to put United ahead.

Granit Xhaka opened the scoring for Arsenal (54), with his long range effort deflecting off Ander Herrera, leaving De Gea helpless.

Former United striker Danny Welbeck (57) made it 2-0 just minutes later, heading in Oxlade Chamberlain's cross.

It was an even affair, with both sides sharing equal possession but United were toothless in their attack especially after going 1-0 down.

League Run Ends

Manchester United had been on an excellent run, they have now ended a run of 25 games unbeaten in the Premier League.

United remain in 5th place in the Premier League, they are now four points behind Manchester City who are in fourth.

Mourinho will be looking for his side to progress to the final with a win here, it is their only chance of Champions League qualification.

It will be crucial for United to keep a clean sheet, with away goals a game changer in European football.

United Favourites

Manchester United come into this match as favourites, with home advantage and their recent form informing the bookies.

This will be a tough fixture for Jose Mourinho's side, with injuries and a lack of goals hampering them.

The Red Devils will be looking to progress to the Europa League final, which will take place in Stockholm.

Old Trafford Stadium, insidePoor Form For Celta

The Spanish side come into this match on the back of a 3-0 defeat against Malaga, less than ideal preparation.

Javier Ontiveros Parra opened the scoring for Malaga in the first half (26), with a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.

It meant that Malaga went into the first half interval with a 1-0 lead, a vital statistic for them.

Recio converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner (56), giving Malaga a 2-0 lead.

Former Tottenham and QPR player Sandro made it 3-0 late on (90+2), a fifth straight defeat for Celta.

Five Successive Defeats

Celta have been in poor form of late, losing their last five successive matches against a variety of sides.

They are winless during that sequence, they now find themselves in 12th position in La Liga.

Celta Vigo come into this Semi-Final second leg on the back of a 1-0 defeat, with Marcus Rashford scoring an excellent free-kick.

Home Side Favourites

The match against United sees Celta Vigo emerge as underdogs, with home advantage dictating the odds.

They face a United side whose only option for Champions League qualification is winning this competition.

Celta Vigo will be looking to make it a first win in their second fixture against United, they will be looking to avoid a sixth successive defeat.

Celta Vigo are 19/4 with Iago Aspas at 15/2 to open the scoring.

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Gabbiadini to score first @ 6/1 and Southampton to win 2-1 @ 11/1

Tip 2 – Rashford to score first @ 7/2 and United to win 2-1 @ 7/1

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *