The Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has turned Southampton into a team that is capable of going head to head against the top 6. The most notable result for Southampton this season has been against Manchester City, a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium. With a string of favourable results in the past six games, Southampton finds themselves closer to the halfway mark rather than fighting for their survival. The Saints are currently enjoying their football trying to become a unit that can challenge European football. Southampton as a team has found themselves constantly as a mid-table team. With a gap of 11 points ideally Southampton will finish once again close to the halfway point. However, if Southampton wants to turn around their season producing a result against Manchester City will be the starting point of it.
For Manchester, City victory is the only way to ensure that Liverpool remains unable to close the gap. The title race has arrived at a point where even small slip-ups can prove to be significant when we look at the whole picture. Manchester City has received a huge boost last night. With the defending AFCON Champions Algeria made an early exit out of the competition, Mahrez will be available sooner than what the management and fans would have expected. The Algerian wizard will return soon to Manchester and he is expected to be available for next week. Manchester City will enter Saint Mary’s stadium in the finest form one could imagine. Guardiola will aim to walk out with a 13th consecutive win.
Southampton vs Manchester City Team News
For Southampton Theo Walcott and Mohamed Elyounoussi are considered to be in contention for tomorrow’s fixture.
Zinchenko and Ake are expected to remain unavailable for the upcoming tie.
Predicted Line-ups
Southampton 3-5-2
(GK) F. Foster
(CB) Lyanco
(CB) M. Salisu
(CB) J. Bednarek
(CM) O. Romeu
(CM) J. Ward-Prowse
(CM) I. Diallo
(LM) R. Perraud
(RM) S. Armstrong
(ST) N. Redmond
(ST) C. Adams
Manchester City 4-3-3
(GK) Ederson
(CB) R. Dias
(CB) A. Laporte
(RB) K. Walker
(LB) J. Cancelo
(CDM) Rodri
(CM) K. De Bruyne
(CM) B. Silva
(RW) R. Sterling
(LW) P. Foden
(ST) G. Jesus
Southampton vs Manchester City Match Prediction : Southampton 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City should prevail over Southampton at Saint Mary’s Stadium. After a dominant display against Chelsea, it is quite hard for Manchester City to fall short against Southampton. Even without Ruben Dias City managed to keep a clean sheet against a team that has a high attacking calibre. On the other hand, Southampton will try to bounce back after the defeat at Molineux Stadium. However, executing against City is a different story.
