The Saints come visiting..How will they be received? MUFC-Southampton preview!

Lambert is at Old Trafford tonight

In the reverse fixture at St Mary's, the South Coast side almost pulled off a major shock scoring first against heavyweights, Manchester United and then going on to lead 2-1 with 3 minutes to play, until Robin Van Persie in his only his 2nd start for the red devils, stole the show with a brilliantly taken brace to add to his early strike. 3-2 it ended in favour of the League leaders.  Adkins' led team also played an excellent match v defending champions, Manchester City and were again hard done by ill-luck and lack of experience, losing the match by the same scoreline (3-2). Only Arsenal blew them away (6-1). They played out an impressive 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge despite trailing 2-0 at the break. Ricky Lambert has come up big for them once more, with 10 premier league goals to his name. His 31 spot-kicks have all flown into the net and as it is, he has the best penalty conversion rate anywhere in the world. Sir Alex has suggested, albeit indirectly, that WAYNE ROONEY should borrow a leaf from the 30 year old marksman. The United no 10 has lost 10 of his 27 penalties taken for the red army and has been temporarily relieved of his duties. Uruguay's Gaston Ramirez hasn't been at his best it seems. Luke Shaw has shown amazing quality beyond his years, shinning like a million stars in his left back role. Jason Puncheon has punctured Manchester United and Chelsea this season and would have to be closely watched so he doesn't get used to deflating the big wigs. Another player Vidic and company must keep an eye on is Morgan Schneiderlin. The towering holding midfielder scored against them at home and has headed in two from two this season. Considering MUFC's defensive woes this campaign, that is a concern.

   

There's a new Sheriff in Town. Ex-Espanyol manager, Mauricio Pochettino is the new man in charge of Southampton. Appointed by Chairman, Nicola Cortese after the very surprising dismissal of Nigel Adkins (which left the football World in other dumbfoundment), the Argentine has found himself in new surroundings and has tries to get used to it. A good start to his managerial career at St Mary's as his boys made Everton work for a 0-0 draw. Tonight it is Manchester United.

RVP: the main threat tonight

Manchester United are not top of the Premier League by accident. They have played out of their skins this season. Despite conceding so many goals, they have also scored more than any other team in the League. The pacesetter has been Robin Van Persie, whose goal v Spurs 10 days ago made him the only player in Premier league history to score 10 away goals in 3 consecutive seasons. His 22 goals have all been World Class and worthy of gracing any Championship on the planet. The return of Nemanja Vidic, the improvement of Rafa da Silva, the maturity of Jonny Evans, the industry of Tom Cleverley, the excellence of Michael Carrick, the inspiration of Ryan Giggs, the Leadership of Patrice Evra, the sagacity of Rio Ferdinand, and indeed the endeavour of Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez have all been of enormous help to Fergie's charges. The whole team has played absolutely fantastic and this is down to teamwork, unity, and the burning desire to reclaim what is rightfully theirs (The topflight domestic crown). No matter the threat Southampton pose, the red devils will be expected to glide past them with ease. It may be daunting and nail biting.

After the Doha trip, MUFC bamboozled Fulham in a dominant display that saw Ryan Giggs scoop yet another 'man of the match' award. The man is evergreen. 40 in November, his energy levels are still high and the hunger to succeed is even more obvious. Wayne Rooney is slowly and steadily returning to that remarkable form that put him in the 2011 FIFPRO WORLD 11 and the 5th best player of the aforementioned year. Between Rooney-RVP-CHICHARITO-and-Welbeck, 47 goals have been scored. Danny haul of 1 goal is not pleasing..but his all round display, especially in the last 2 EPL games against Liverpool and Spurs have well been exceptional.

Today, at the Theatre of Dreams, Manchester United have it all to do if they want to restore their 7-point lead over Manchester City who drew away at QPR last night and lost Balotelli to A.C Milan. It has been a thorny last few hours for Mancini.

Manchester United have won the last five meetings v the Saints at home and only failed to win 18 years ago when MR ERROR TAIBI gifted the Legendary Matt Le Tissier a goal in a 3-3 draw. Today is expected to be a happy/victorious one for the League Leaders who are on a 12-game unbeaten run.

PROBABLE LINEUPS:

SAF....Marching on.

Manchester United:
Sir Alex Ferguson will not risk either Ashley Young or Jonny Evans for this match. The 71 year old has more than enough in his Arsenal to shoot down Southampton. Rio Ferdinand, RVP, Nemanja Vidic and Shinji Kagawa are expected to return. DDG keeps his place (maybe)

DDG, RDS, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa/Nnai, Valencia/Welbeck, Rooney, RVP

POCHETTINO: The SHERIFF

Southampton:
Mauricio Pochettino most certainly will retain the same 11 that played so well against Everton which means there's no place for recent capture, Vegard Forren who arrived from Ole Solskjaer's Molde.

Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Cork, Ramirez, Puncheon, G.D Prado, Lambert.

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EL COPA-CLASICO...THE PREVIEW!

On Sunday, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 3 v Getafe at midday. Hours later, Leo Messi went one better, scoring a quartet of goals against Osasuna in a 5-1 win. With 7 goals between them, this has set up one of the most exhilarating Clasicos of all time.

Real Madrid have taken the CDR seriously especially after their dismal start to the Spanish League campaign. This represents one of the two remaining chances to win something worthwhile this season.

Form is on both sides at the moment. Even with the absence of Tito Vilanova (who's away in the States for his Cancer treatment), the Blaugrana have qualified for the semi-finals of the Copa Del Rey and stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to 11 points after closest rivals, Atletico were bashed by Bilbao at San Mames.

The 'whites' of Real Madrid haven't been far behind their nearest rivals form-wise. They earned a good draw v Valencia at the Mestalla to set up the first Clasico of 2013. Then on Saturday, they put four past neighbours, Getafe in match that only sprang to life in the 2nd half. The introduction of in-form Germany international, Sami Khedira was the catalyst behind their resurgence. Today will be a different ball game. The Merengues are without Captain and NO 1, Iker Casillas (whose 41 Clasico appearances is second to none), defensive rocks, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, Fabio Coentrao and Di Maria, both of whom are suspended after their dismissals in Valencia. In fairness, Pepe and Sergio Ramos haven't been missed. In their absence, the capital club have conceded just 1 goal in their last 6 games (although Ramos came back at the weekend). Raul Albiol, Raphael Varane and outcast, Ricardo Caravalho have all come in and done fantastic ever since. Up front, CR7 is a man inspired. After losing the BALON D'oR to Messi, he has scored for fun ever since and his 10 this month is the highest total of any footballer in Europe's top 5 Leagues. Even EL Pulga (Messi) is behind..not far though-9. The constant headache since Pipita's return from injury is who to start between him and Benzema. Mourinho alternates between both World Class competitors match after match. Luka Modric hasn't exactly accustomed himself to the playing style of the Blancos, but he is immensely talented and has shown that in splashes this term. Xabi Alonso gives his awesome best when called upon every time and will be expected to lead the team to victory in the absence of San Iker and Sergio Ramos. A certain German playmaker, Mesut Ozil has come in leaps and bounds throughout his exceptional Madrid Career and is the player who has given the most assists to Cristiano in his career. Ricardo Kaka has never been on Mourinho's good books and his frequent omission from recent team sheets is a concern to the 07 World Footballer of the year. On a good day, he is still one of the best footballers in the World and has shown that many a time.

Barcelona are not the best team in the World for nothing. They sit a mammoth 15 points ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga standings, have qualified for the CDR semis and have lost only one of their 21 League games this season. A game they led by 2 goals until Chori Castro and co ruined the party.In EL MESSIAS,  they have the best player of the last four years and his 44 goals this season has been more astounding than Montpellier's Ligue 1 triumph last season. 33 League goals in 21 games is a staggering stat. 12 ahead of CR7 who is about the only footballer that can compete with the magic he possesses. As if this isn't enough worry. Andres Iniesta, who's undisputedly the 3rd best player in the World, has improved tremendously in the last 5 months, giving assists like they are going extinct. 33 year old Xavi has performed really well also and the triumvirate are wonderfully armed to the teeth. Pedro Rodriguez is also in superb form and has cleared any doubts that exist about his rise. Alexis Sanchez has deteriorated to an irritating and indecisive footballer and this hasn't gone down well with fans who responded positively to his purchase two years ago. David 'EL GUAJE' Villa is in a happy mood. The birth of his son Luca should motivate him to put on a show this evening at the Bernabeu. Gerard Pique is also a happy father and will be called upon to help out in the defence. The task of stopping CR7 will be a herculean one though, but not impossible.

Mourinho and Tito Vilanova

Jose Mourinho will be hoping that Real Madrid's recent good form v Barcelona continues tonight. The 'Super Coppa' earlier this season proved that the WHITES can match the Catalan giants in all areas of the pitch. The Portuguese great who turned 50 on Saturday will love a belated birthday present especially against a team he hasn't had so much to smile about in his phenomenal career to date.

Football god, Messi will be hoping to break Alfredo Di Stefano's record haul of 18 goals in Clasico meetings.With 2 goals tonight, the Argentine skipper will be the new record holder with 19. He has never scored a CDR goal against Real Madrid, but he has tormented them in other competitions. His arch rival, Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to extend his record of scoring in consecutive Clasicos which currently stands at 6 and also go further up the table in the list of all time Clasico goal scorers (He has 10). Today has the makings of greatness and rest assured, we won't have anything short of what we are expecting. In 221 meetings between the pair, the hosts have 88 wins to Barca's 87. The other 46 ending in draws. Their last meeting three months ago ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou with talismen, Ronaldo and Messi grabbing 2 apiece. THIS IS WAR.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS:

REAL MADRID: Diego Lopez, Arbeloa/Essien, Albiol, Varane, Marcelo, Khedira, Alonso, Modric, Ozil, CR7, Benz

BARCELONA: Pinto, Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano/Puyol, Alba/Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Fabregas, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro

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