Skip to content

Charlie Nicholas backs Man Utd and Southampton to progress in Europa League

Generic Charlie Nicholas image 10/08/2016
Image: Charlie Nicholas provides his Europa League views

Charlie Nicholas provides us with his Europa League predictions as Manchester United and Southampton look to secure places in the final 32.

United just need a draw on Thursday, and a goalless affair will be enough to send the Saints through to the next stage of the competition.

Here's what Charlie is predicting in his Sky Bet tips...

Zorya Luhansk v Manchester United (6pm GMT)

United are playing better but Jose Mourinho still looks like the angriest man in the world and everything looks taxing.

I don't think this is easy, I really don't. He'll be considering starting Wayne Rooney and he's almost been forced into playing Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Former Manchester United player Gary Neville thinks Jose Mourinho will be disappointed by his side's inability to see out games

The Soccer Saturday lads were suggesting Phil Jones is making a big difference but not in the sense of winning games and Paul Pogba still isn't doing enough.

Also See:

They actually looked better without Pogba in the EFL Cup and there's never a real fluency with him in the team, unlike when Mkhitaryan and Rooney were playing in the advanced areas in the 4-1 win over West Ham. 

during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on December 4, 2016 in Liverpool, England.
Image: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in fine form and can score again, says Charlie

I thought Zlatan Ibrahimovic was different class against Everton but he didn't have the support. He's Eric Cantona in an average team, holding it up with two or three men around him but nobody is running into that space he's creating.

Zorya will think they'll be able to have a go as the home side and that should suit United after they struggled to break down a packed defence in the reverse fixture.

Charlie predicts: 0-1 and Ibrahimovic to score first (15/1 with Sky Bet)

Southampton v Hapoel Be'er Sheva (8.05pm)

Southampton are like a bag of Revels. I think everyone expected them to win at the weekend and they didn't just disappoint but they got absolutely battered, even without Fraser Forster's mistake.

Everybody talks up Virgil van Dijk but he can still be slack-minded and he's got away with quite a few penalty calls this season. Defending is an art and he's not quite got it nailed, a bit like John Stones.

Southampton midfielder Steven Davis
Image: Southampton midfielder Steven Davis is tipped to net the winner by Charlie

Surely Dusan Tadic should be back with a mask on? I was also surprised to see Josh Sims not starting at the weekend after doing so well.

I do think they'll edge this one though and I'm backing a man who is overdue a goal in Steven Davis to get the winner.

Charlie predicts: 1-0 and Davis to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)

Charlie's tips
Charlie's tips

Agree with Charlie? Man Utd and Southampton both to win to nil is 7/2 here

Around Sky