Man United and Southampton square off at Old Trafford
Seeking to build on their positive FA Cup results last weekend, struggling Premier League duo Manchester United and Southampton square off at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The two teams meet for the first time since September last year when the Red Devils secured a 3-0 victory over the Saints at St Mary’s.
Man United may have failed to win each of their last six games across all competitions in 90 minutes, but their last two results away against Liverpool and Arsenal will have given head coach Ruben Amorim some hope in turning the club’s fortunes around in the near future.
Amorim was pleased with how his team “competed” and “fought” for victory over Arsenal and he has urged his players to produce more spirited performances if they wish to climb the Premier League table.
Sitting closer to the relegation zone than the top four, Man United will be determined to put a positive run of form together in the coming weeks, with all of their next seven fixtures against teams currently outside of the top eight, starting with a favourable one at home to basement club Southampton today.
Goalmouth action at both ends is therefore expected, but the Red Devils will find a way to get the better of their opponents, claiming three valuable points at Old Trafford for the first time since December 1.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Ipswich Town, Brighton lock horns at Portman Road
Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion will meet at Portman Road in the top flight for the first time in four decades when they lock horns on Thursday night.
The two clubs drew 0-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but they have not clashed at this venue in the top flight since a 2-0 win for Ipswich in January 1983.
All of Ipswich’s Christmas dreams are seemingly coming true at present, with Kieran McKenna‘s side now on the cusp of moving out of the bottom three.
After a narrow defeat at the Emirates against Arsenal during the Boxing Day matchday, Ipswich then beat Chelsea 2-0 at Portman Road to finish 2024, and they almost made a dream start to the new year away at Fulham.
Only two penalties denied them a win at Craven Cottage, with an injury-time strike from Raul Jimenez forcing a draw.
Next up for the hosts are Brighton, who have been the draw specialists in the Premier League this season, and could only manage a 0-0 stalemate in this fixture back in September.
In recent weeks, draws have continued to mount for the Seagulls, with their last four league games all ending level.
No team in the Premier League is dealing with as many injuries as Brighton at present, and Joao Pedro joined that list in the past week after rolling his ankle in training, making him a doubt for the next few games.
Brighton’s form has not been awful by any means, with the cup win coming after two impressive draws, but Hurzeler’s men are winless in eight league games, and this could be an awkward fixture for them, after also being held in the reverse.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Real Madrid to bounce back from their Super Cup disappointment
Real Madrid will look to bounce back from their Spanish Super Cup disappointment when they welcome Celta Vigo to the Santiago Bernabeu for Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash.
Los Blancos secured their place in the last 16 with a 5-0 win over Deportivo Minera, while Celta came from behind to beat Racing Santander in their third-round tie.
Real Madrid have experienced a busy start to the calendar year, competing in four matches in the first half of January, compared to the two matches that Celta have been involved in this month.
Los Blancos kicked off 2025 with a 2-1 league win over Valencia and a dominant cup outing against Minera, before they travelled to Saudi Arabia to defend the Spanish Super Cup that they won back in 2024.
Sunday’s showpiece event against Barcelona proved to be a forgettable outing for Los Blancos, conceding four goals in the first half of a 5-2 defeat.
What made matters worse was the fact that the result represented their second heavy El Clasico defeat in the space of three months after they slumped to a 4-0 loss in October’s La Liga home clash with Barcelona.
After suffering a demoralising defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final, Real Madrid will be determined to produce a positive response in Thursday’s cup fixture, and taking into account their recent run of five consecutive home wins, we think that Los Blancos will sweep past Celta to reach the quarter-finals.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Iñaki Williams’ Athletic Club welcome Osasuna
Copa del Rey holders Athletic Bilbao will continue the defence of their trophy when they welcome Osasuna to San Mames for today’s Copa del Rey clash.
For the first time in 40 years, Athletic are competing as the Copa del Rey holders after going all the way to beat Mallorca on penalties in last season’s final in Seville.
After prevailing in a shootout to win the trophy, Los Leones began the defence of their trophy in a similar fashion, although they would have been disappointed with the fact that they played out a goalless draw in 120 minutes of action against fourth-tier Logrones.
Crucially, Ernesto Valverde‘s side held their nerve dispatching four of their five penalties to win the shootout and keep their hopes alive of winning back-to-back Copa del Reys for the first time since 1956.
While Athletic have won the Copa del Rey on 24 occasions, Osasuna are yet to win the coveted trophy despite reaching the final twice.
After experiencing an unsuccessful trip to the capital, Osasuna are now preparing for another difficult away fixture, with Wednesday’s visitors looking to record their first win at San Mames since February 2020.
San Mames is widely regarded as one of the toughest grounds in Spain for teams to visit, and we think that Athletic will make full use of home advantage at their Cathedral to get the better of an Osasuna side that have failed to win their four away games against top-flight opposition.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
FIXTURES
Premier League
Manchester United 20:00 Southampton
Copa Del Rey
