Manchester United and Southampton go head to head on Sunday for the season’s first piece of silverware in the EFL Cup.
United progressed in the Europa League prior to the fixture, easing past the French side Saint Etienne 4-0 on aggregate.
On route to the EFL final, United got the better of their city rivals, with Juan Mata scoring the winner against Manchester City.
Manchester United’s route to EFL Cup final
Semi Final Second Leg: Hull City 2 Manchester United 1
Semi Final First Leg: Manchester United 2 Hull City 0
Quarter-Final: Manchester United 4 West Ham United 1
Fourth Round: Manchester United 1 Manchester City 0
Third Round: Northampton 1 Manchester United 3
Manchester United’s top EFL scorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial & Juan Mata 2 goals each
Southampton haven’t played in a fortnight, since a 4-0 win away at a struggling Sunderland in the Premier League.
The Saints are yet to concede in the competition this season and overcame Liverpool over two legs in the Semi-Final.
Southampton’s route to EFL Cup final
Semi Final Second Leg: Liverpool 0 Southampton 1
Semi-Final First Leg: Southampton 1 Liverpool 0
Quarter-Final: Arsenal 0 Southampton 2
Fourth Round: Southampton 1 Sunderland 0
Third Round: Southampton 2 Crystal Palace 0
Southampton’s top EFL scorer: Seven players on 1 goal
Enhanced match odds
To lift the trophy: Manchester United 5/1 or Southampton 10/1 with 888 Sport*
Manchester United to beat Southampton: 8/1 with Paddy Power*
Match history
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as Manchester United beat Southampton at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
Southampton have a decent record against United in recent years, winning two of the last five games between the pair.
Last five Premier League meetings
Manchester United 2 Southampton 0 – 19/08/16
Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 – 23/01/16
Southampton 2 Manchester United 3 – 20/09/15
Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 – 11/01/15
Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 – 08/12/14
Manchester United by one goal – 5/2 with Sky Bet
Team news
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been ruled out after sustaining an injury in the win over Etienne on Thursday.
Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are available, although only the latter will start here.
Martín Cáceres joined Southampton on a free earlier this month but is unlikely to start on Sunday.
Sofiane Boufal is set to be named among the substitutes as he returned from injury this week.
Expected starting XI’s
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Blind; Carrick, Herrera; Mata, Pogba, Martial; Ibrahimovic
Southampton (4-2-3-1): Forster; Soares, Yoshida, Stephens, Bertrand; Romeu, Davis; Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Redmond; Gabbiadini
Predictions
Result: Manchester United (8/1 with Paddy Power)*
Correct Score: 2-1 (8/1 with Paddy Power)
Anytime Goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (13/10 with Coral)
*Offer(s) are for new account holders only, other T&C’s apply
