Southampton have been tipped for a difficult 2021/22 campaign following the exit of talisman Danny Ings as well as key defender Jannik Vestergaard. That is exactly what could be seen at the onset of their season as well, as they were handed a 3-1 defeat by Everton on the opening weekend, although Adam Armstrong did score a goal on debut.
Manchester United, on the other hand, are on the opposite end of the spectrum, with a lot of optimism surrounding them heading into the 2021/22 season. The Red Devils followed suit in their season-opening fixture as well, cruising to a 5-1 win over Leeds United, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a fine hat-trick.
The corresponding fixture last season was a pulsating encounter that saw Manchester United come from two goals down to beat Southampton 3-2.
Having shipped 12 goals over the course of two league matches against the Red Devils last season, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men will have been spooked to see them open the campaign in free-scoring form against Leeds.
With the likes of Cavani and new signing Jadon Sancho potentially adding their dangerous talents to the attack, a Southampton defence that is yet to replace Leicester-bound Jannik Vestergaard could be in for another chastening 90 minutes.
Nevertheless, having failed to score in just two of their last 11 league matches in their own backyard, the hosts will also back themselves to contribute to an entertaining game between two sides that have averaged almost five goals per game over the last six meetings.
In their last league meeting in February, Manchester United inflicted a 9-0 defeat on Southampton, the joint-biggest Premier League victory in history, with the other two games also involving Man Utd and the Saints: Man Utd 9-0 Ipswich in March 1995 and Southampton 0-9 Leicester City in October 2019.
Southampton won four of their last six Premier League matches against Man Utd at the Dell (L2) but have beaten them just once in 13 league meetings at St Mary’s (D4 L8), a 1-0 win in August 2003 with James Beattie scoring the winner. They are winless in 10 home league games against the Red Devils (D4 L6), despite taking the lead in six of those games.
Manchester United have recovered 35 points from losing positions in Premier League games against Southampton, more than any side has against another in the competition’s history. The Red Devils 10 comeback wins against Saints is also the joint most for one side against a specific opponent in the competition (Man Utd also 10 vs Newcastle).
Bruno Fernandes is yet to end on the losing side in any of his 25 away Premier League matches for Manchester United (W16 D9) and avoiding defeat in this game would see him equal the longest away unbeaten run by a Premier League player from the start of their career in the competition, set by Gabriel Jesus for Manchester City (first 26 games between February 2017 and December 2018).
The big game of the weekend will come our way on Sunday evening when Arsenal play hosts to London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal find themselves under intense pressure just one game into the season as they fell to a shock defeat to newly-promoted Brentford last time out. Following a shoddy pre-season and the opening weekend result, the knives are already out against manager Mikel Arteta, with questions being raised over his suitability after the Gunners have splashed the most cash in the market this summer. A positive result, thus, is imperative on Sunday.
As for Chelsea, things could not be more opposite to that of Arsenal. Thomas Tuchel has settled in really well and led the Blues to their second trophy under his tutelage earlier this month, winning the UEFA Super Cup after having won the Champions League last season. That was followed by a 3-0 derby demolition of Crystal Palace in the opening matchweek. And, the German tactician will be hoping that his team is able to carry the momentum forward.
Arsenal have a good record against Chelsea and have won 79 games out of a total of 203 matches played between the two teams. Chelsea have managed 59 victories against Arsenal and will need to step up in this match.
The previous meeting between the two teams took place in May this year and ended in a 1-0 victory for Arsenal. Chelsea have been impressive in recent months, however, and will want to prove their mettle this weekend.
Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah, and Gabriel Magalhaes are injured at the moment and have been ruled out of this fixture. Alexandre Lacazette and Willian have rested positive for the coronavirus and will be unable to feature in this game.
Injured: Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Magalhaes, Willian, Alexandre Lacazette, Runar Alex Runarsson
Doubtful: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Chelsea
Hakim Ziyech and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are struggling with their fitness and are unavailable for selection. Christian Pulisic has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be excluded from the squad.
Injured: Hakim Ziyech, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic
Arsenal won both of their Premier League matches against Chelsea last season, last winning three in a row against the Blues in the competition between January 2003 and February 2004.
Chelsea have only won three of their last 14 games against Arsenal in all competitions (D5 L6), losing each of their last three games against the Gunners (2020 FA Cup final, both 2020-21 Premier League meetings).
Arsenal are opening their league season with two London derbies - against Brentford and Chelsea - for a second consecutive season, having played Fulham and West Ham last season. Prior to this, they’d only done so once, in 2015-16, while Chelsea have only started a league campaign with two London derbies in 1989-90 previously, against Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers.
Chelsea have won their last four away Premier League London derbies, last winning five in a row between January 2005 and January 2006 under José Mourinho.
Arsenal haven’t beaten Chelsea in any of their last 10 Premier League meetings on a Sunday (D2 L8) since winning 2-1 in November 2008 at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners are, however, unbeaten in their previous eight Premier League Sunday matches overall (W6 D2).
Though they’ve won their first home league game in each of the last two campaigns, Arsenal have lost their first league match at the Emirates in five of the last 10 seasons (W4 D1). The Gunners had only lost their first home league game in five of the previous 29 seasons.
2018 – Harry Kane is starting on the substitutes bench in a Premier League game for the first time since December 2018 against Leicester City. Periphery.
Christian Eriksen
