Manchester City hope to pour even more misery on newly-promoted Southampton this Saturday when the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League. The reigning eight-time champions secured a late and controversial victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend to avoid another slip-up, but have looked far from convincing domestically without the likes of Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne.
A 5-0 victory over Sparta Prague in the Champions League midweek should boost morale, and they will be looking to inflict a similar scoreline on the winless Saints this weekend. Victory is of paramount importance given Arsenal and Liverpool face each other on Sunday.
Southampton’s search for a Premier League victory has been agonising, and a 98th-minute strike from Leicester City’s Jordan Ayew last weekend saw them surrender a two-goal lead in another devastating defeat. Securing a victory against City on the road will be borderline impossible, but their recent trip to Arsenal showed their ability to cause the Premier League’s big dogs a few issues at the very least.
As the Citizens look to bounce back from their recent dip, they will be boosted by the return of goalkeeper Ederson and midfielder Mateo Kovacic, while representatives of the fit-again Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku could make their comebacks, although the latter is a doubt after entering the treatment room.
Pep Guardiola’s men have made some changes, including bringing in Savinho and Bernardo Silva, and it’s likely that Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and John Stones will retain their starting spots. Haaland, in particular, will be eager to end his mini Premier League drought and expose the weaknesses of Southampton’s porous defence.
Ryan Fraser will miss the trip to the Etihad after his dismissal against Leicester, while Ross Stewart, Gavin Bazunu, and Will Smallbone are also sidelined. Jack Stephens, however, returns from suspension to bolster the Saints’ defensive options.
Martin’s predicted side will likely field a starting XI with a similar system to that used against Arsenal: five at the back, with a view to catching City on the counter. Southampton’s chances of escaping the Etihad with some dignity intact are slim, but they may find respite in a Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur this week.
Ultimately, City should waltz to victory on Saturday, but a porous Saints defence could be the perfect opponent for Haaland to end his Premier League drought. Prediction: Man City 3-0 Southampton.
