Southampton vs Manchester City: Preview and Prediction

Manchester City look for another win to keep their place inside the top four intact when they visit Southampton on Sunday evening.

The Citizens are in some good form after taking 13 points from their last five games. But there is little room for error for the third placed City as Manchester United are 5 points behind them, with a game in hand. Pellegrini’s team cannot any more points as things stand at the moment, but things may change depending upon how Arsenal and United perform in their respective fixtures.

Southampton are eight in the league standing and they have no chance of qualifying for European football next season. At the same time, their form is not that bad and Koeman will be hoping to mount a big upset in front of their home crows.

Form Guide

Southampton are unbeaten in their last three games, with 2 wins and a draw. They had also won 4 of their last 6 matches in the league, with one defeat during the period against league leaders Leicester City.

The Saints are a strong bunch at their home and they are unbeaten in 6 of their last 7 matches, with 5 wins and a draw.

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 5 Premier League games, with 4 wins and a draw. The Citizens are also unbeaten in 8 matches in all competitions.

The Citizens are unbeaten in their last 4 away games, with 2 wins and 2 draws. They have tasted only once in 9 away matches.

Southampton: Team News

Charlie Austin and Florin Gardos are sidelined for Southampton and other than this they are missing no players through injury or suspension.

Ronald Koeman is expected to field the same starting line-up that earned a 4-2 win at Aston Villa last weekend, meaning the likes of Jordy Clasie, Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane have to satisfy with a place in the bench.

Southampton: Predicted Starting Line-up (4-2-3-1)

Forster,
Bertrand, van Dijk, Fonte, Soares,
Romeu, Wanyama,
Tadic, Rodriguez, Davis,
Long.

Manchester City: Team News

David Silva and Yaya Toure will miss the trip to Southampton through injuries, otherwise Pellegrini has a fully fit squad.

We could definitely expect some key players to be rested here, with the crucial second leg Champions League tie against Madrid coming up in mid-week.

Manchester City: Predicted Line-up (4-4-2)

Hart,
Kolarov, Mangala, Otamendi, Zabaleta,
Nasri, Fernando, Delph, Sterling,
Bony, Iheanacho.

Southampton vs Manchester City: Head-to-Head Stats

• Manchester City are on a four match winning run against Southampton and are unbeaten in the last five.
• Southampton’s last win against Manchester City came at Sunday’s venue on February 2013.
• Southampton have won only once in 5 home meetings against Manchester City, with 2 defeats and 2 draws.
• The first leg clash of this season at the Etihad end in a 3-1 win for the Citizens.

Southampton vs Manchester City: Prediction

Manchester City need three wins from three matches to qualify for Champions League if Arsenal and Manchester United don’t stumble in their respective fixtures on Saturday. If their rivals take maximum points from their respective matches, there is a good chance that Pellegrini recall his key players to the starting line-up against Southampton.

The Saints are a dangerous side at home, at the same time they can be extremely inconsistent. But they are well relaxed at the moment as they do not have anything to play for, but the fans. And they could make things hard for the visiting Citizens.

I don’t think the fringe squad of City have enough quality to test Southampton at their home. A draw is very much on the cards here, and slim chances of a home win.