Southampton will go in search of their first ever League Cup title this afternoon when they face Manchester United at Wembley (4.30pm kick-off).

The Saints have already knocked out four Premier League sides en route to today’s showpiece, with Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Arsenal, and Liverpool all succumbing to Claude Puel’s men over the last few months.

It means that the South Coast side have the chance to win their first piece of major silverware since 1976, when they beat the Red Devils 1-0 to win the FA Cup.

However, it’s going to be a tough ask against Jose Mourinho’s United, who have lost just once in their last 25 games, and have won five on the spin in all competitions.

Nonetheless, Puel’s men have had two weeks to rest and prepare for today’s clash, and they’ll be confident of adding United to their last of top-flight scalps in the competition this term.

So, with the build-up well underway ahead of today’s encounter, here are THREE reasons why Southampton will win their first League Cup title this afternoon…

No fear after their run so far

Although they haven’t been pulling down any trees in the Premier League recently, the Saints will have absolutely no fear when taking on United this afternoon, given that they have already knocked four top-flight sides out of the competition.

They started their quest for League Cup glory back in September with a 2-0 success over Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace, before a Sofiane Boufal stunner saw off Sunderland in round four.

And then were their two most impressive victories, as they went to the Emirates Stadium and played Arsenal off the park to win 2-0, before beating Liverpool home and away in the semi-final to secure their berth at Wembley.

It has been a tremendous run from the Saints – it proves that they have been up for the cup, and on their day can beat some of the best sides in the country.

There’s no reason why they can’t add United to that list this afternoon.

Squad is well-rested

It has been just over two weeks since Southampton last played a competitive game, with their 4-0 win at Sunderland coming all the way back on February 11.

And for a side that played seven times in December and nine times in January, it’s a well-earned rest and one that will freshen them up ahead of today’s final.

In fact, excluding international breaks, it’s the longest the Saints have gone without a game this term, which could work against them given they are used to playing so regularly, but with the amount of games they have played already this season, currently standing at 39, it’s a break they needed.

All those players carrying slight knocks will have had time to rest and recover, and they’ve had ample time to prepare for the game, both physically and mentally.

Compare it to United having played four times since Southampton last kicked a ball, and it’s certainly a huge advantage for the Saints, and one they must take this afternoon.

Biggest game of season

Without doubt, this is Southampton’s biggest game of the season.

The Saints are sat 11th in the Premier League table, ten points clear of the bottom three, and 19 points behind fifth place Liverpool, so they’re not going down, and they’re also not going to get in Europe via their finishing position.

Puel’s men are also out of the Europa League and the FA Cup, so the players can put everything into today’s game, knowing that victory would represent an unbelievable success, whilst defeat would probably see their season peter out.

Victory would also secure their place in the Europa League third qualifying round for next season, and given that they had a taste of it this term, which saw them beat Italian giants Inter Milan at St Mary’s, that’s another added incentive they must take advantage of this afternoon.

Southampton have 14 games of their season remaining, but none are as big and as important as this one – they dealt with the pressure at Arsenal and against Liverpool brilliantly, doing so again would give them a great chance of lifting their first ever League Cup title.