ODDSTRACKER: In this week’s edition of Oddstracker, we take a look at the match between Southampton and Manchester United, which saw the visitors at St Mary’s come from behind to secure a stunning victory.
The odds showing how the Red Devils secured a smash and grab win
Although Manchester United were the favourites heading into Sunday’s clash with Southampton on Sunday, were it not for Edinson Cavani things would have ended up rather differently.
United were 1.91 favourites ahead of kick-off at St Mary’s to claim the three points, with Southampton 3.8 and the draw 3.6. Heading towards the 20-minute mark and United’s odds had shortened, now at 1.8, with the Saints drifting to 5.
Yet that all changed just a few minutes later when Jan Bednarek’s 23rd-minute header from a corner fired the hosts into the lead to more than halve their odds to 2.15, while at the same time seeing the visitors move out to 3.6.
James Ward-Prowse had played creator for the first goal before turning to goal-scorer 10 minutes later with a fine free-kick to outsmart David de Gea. The Saints were now two up and 1.36 for victory with United at 8.5.
With a 2-0 lead at the break, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side were soon as short as 1.22, with United now having drifted even further out to 13 for the three points and what would be a remarkable come-from-behind victory.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær made a change at the restart, bringing on Cavani from the bench and he was soon repaid. The Uruguayan was on hand to set up Bruno Fernandes on the hour-mark to haul his side back into contention – though they were still priced at 7.0, with Southampton 1.67 for the win.
Some 14 minutes later and it was Cavani’s turn to get on the scoresheet through a diving header as United managed to pull level with 16 minutes left on the clock. The Red Devils were now favourites at 3.3, with the draw 3.6 and Southampton 4.6.
As we approached 90 minutes it looked like neither side were going to find a winner, with the draw heavily backed at 1.15. United, meanwhile, were 8.0 with Southampton priced at 17.
However, as the game at St Mary’s entered into injury time, the stage was still set for Cavani to have the final say, with the striker heading home Marcus Rashford’s cross to spark wild scenes.
United had somehow turned the game on its head at the death and with the final whistle blowing soon after, they became the first side in Premier League history to win four consecutive away games despite trailing in each.
