In this Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 file photo Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, reacts during the English League Cup quarter final soccer match between Manchester United and Colchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.  Jon Super | Associated Press
Soccer

Friday soccer picks and previews: Norwich City vs Southampton, Tottenham vs Manchester United, Sevilla vs FC Barcelona, & Swiss Super League

First match kicks off at 1 pm EDT

Sean Miller

Jose Mourinho has already returned to face Manchester United as manager of Tottenham, way back in early December.

It was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tricky Reds that came away with a 2-1 win that night, just days before a Manchester Derby win.

So while some may still make the story about Jose, this match Friday between Spurs and United is all about the Premier League UEFA Champions League places.

Manchester United has Tottenham today, then faces Sheffield United, the team right behind it in the table, on Wednesday. But the Red Devils will do so with Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba both back healthy for the first time since December, and riding an 11-match unbeaten run.

Rashford has been in the news for his campaign to help feed English school kids over the summer, raining more than £20 million and getting the government to pay for the program all summer. On the pitch, he had been out since February with a stress fracture in his back, but he is now ready to go. With 19 goals this season, it could be a huge boost to United.

In the first match of the day, Norwich City desperately needs a win over Southampton to move closer to the rest of the relegation pack. Southampton won the first encounter 2-1 on December 4, but it could be the Canaries that get the better of the Saints today. Either way, both teams have leaked goals this season, and we should expect the same today.

One decent play could be to take Danny Ings to score. The forward has 15 goals in the Premier League this season, and is decent value at +118 today to find the net.

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ENGLAND PREMIER LEAGUE

Norwich City (+175) vs. Southampton (+150), draw (+240), 1 p.m. EDT (NBCSN and Fubo.tv)

Tottenham (+195) vs. Manchester United (+138), draw (+240), 3:15 p.m. EDT (NBCSN and Fubo.tv)

THE PICKS:

Over 2.5 goals Norwich/Southampton

Norwich City pick (+100)

Manchester United/Tottenham over 1 goal first half Asian handicap (-122)

Manchester United/Tottenham over 2.5 goals (-110)

Dany Ings (Southampton) to score (+118)

BARCELONA, SEVILLA, SET FOR MOST IMPORTANT LA LIGA MATCH OF THE RESTART

Over the final month of the season, there is not going to be a bigger match than the one Friday between Barcelona and Sevilla.

With Real Madrid still breathing down its neck, and the fantastic Marco Asensio back after a year out scoring and assisting wonder goals for the Madrid side, Barcelona can afford no slip-ups over its final nine games of the La Liga campaign.

The last 10 times these two teams have played, over 2.5 goals has hit nine times (also 19 of the last 22), so expect some goals. Barcelona has scored at least four goals (four times, plus one six-goal outing) in four of the last five against Sevilla, and is 13-1-1 in the last 15 against Sevilla.

You are not going to get Barcelona at a better price this season, nor will you find better odds for Lionel Messi to score. This could be the time to jump on both.

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SPAIN LA LIGA

Sevilla (+270) vs. FC Barcelona (-108), draw (+275), 4 p.m. EDT (beIN Sports and Fubo.tv)

THE PICKS:

FC Barcelona ML (-108)

Lionel Messi to score (-106)

Over 2.5 goals (-141) OR Over 2.75 goals (-110)

BEST OF THE REST: BSC YOUNG BOYS LOOK TO TAKE THE LEAD IN SWITZERLAND

BSC Young Boys come into the day even on points at the top of the Super League with FC St. Gallen 1879, but in second place on goal difference.

The club gets a chance to move three points ahead Friday against FC Zürich, and should take that chance: Young Boys have won five in a row head to head, and the last three have all been 4-0 scorelines.

SWITZERLAND

BSC Young Boys (-250) vs. FC Zürich (+575), draw (+360), 2:30 p.m. EDT

THE PICK:

BSC Young Boys -1.5 (+112)

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