The Lowdown on Sheffield United's trip to Southampton

After suffering a heart-breaking defeat by Leicester City last weekend, with Jamie Vardy scoring the winning goal in the last minute, Chris Wilder’s side travel to St Mary’s having lost 10 times in 11 outings and at the bottom of the table despite finishing ninth in the table last term.

James Shield, The Star’s United writer, analyses some of the key figures set to be involved and the statistical trends surrounding the meeting with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team.

The Probable Teams: Southampton - McCarthy, Bertrand, Walker-Peters, Verstergaard, Bednarek, Armstrong, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Walcott, Adams, Ings. United - Ramsdale, Basham, Egan, Bryan, Baldock, Osborn, Fleck, Norwood, Berge, McBurnie, Burke.

The Referee: Andy Madley, from West Yorkshire, will take charge of the game, assisted by Eddie Smart and Derek Eaton. Robert Jones is the VAR official. Aged 37, this will be the first time Madley has overseen a match involving either United or Southampton this term. He averages 2.33 cautions per game this season but booked five players, including John Fleck and George Baldock, during United’s win at Crystal Palace in February.

The Goals Question: United have scored six times in all competitions so far this season, averaging one every 1.83 games. Four of those strikes have come away from home. Southampton score an average of 1.75 goals per game home and away since September. They have netted twice in all of their five PL outings so far, conceding eight times although all of those goals came during two matches - against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The Last Time Out: United were beaten 3-1 when they travelled to St Mary’s on the final day of last season. John Lundstram opened the scoring for the visitors before former United striker Che Adams netted twice before Danny Ings converted a late penalty. Southampton returned a possession rate of 72 per cent during that fixture, but mustered only one more shot on target (4) than United.

The History Lesson: United have won 45 per cent of their previous 56 games against Southampton, with their last win away win coming in February 2009, when both teams were competing in the Championship. The two sides first locked horns in 1902, when United lifted the FA Cup after beating Southampton in a replay at Crystal Palace.

The Dangermen: Ings has netted six times in seven Premier League starts so far this season, with Adams on target three times. He has started all of Southampton’s games in the competition since September, while James Ward-Prowse has been on target four times. Ings also found the back of the net for England, during October’s 3-0 win over Wales at Wembley. That was his first goal for his country.

The Details: Southampton versus Sheffield United, kick-off midday tomorrow. Up to the minute and post-match analysis is available via The Star’s print and online platforms.

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