Manchester City vs Southampton FC: Preview and Prediction
Manchester City vs Southampton FC. With the battle for Survival between Newcastle and Hull City taking most of the spotlight, another battle has been highly overshadowed.
More from Manchester City
- Manchester City predicted lineup vs Red Star Belgrade: Rico Lewis starts
- Manchester City: Pep Guardiola spotted Barcelona sensation in summer
- Manchester City injury news vs West Ham: FOUR players ruled out by Pep
- Manchester City Predicted Lineup vs West Ham: Unchanged from Fulham?
- Manchester City announce star defender’s re-signing in Holywood fashion
While Manchester City has already clinched their place in the Premier League’s top four, Southampton FC are still fighting for their European lives, per say. No matter the result, the Saints will have a shot at qualifying for the Europa League.
The worst Southampton can finish in seventh in the Premier League. Depending on the result from the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Aston Villa, the Saints may have already qualified for Europe. Should the Gunners win, Southampton would take the Premier League’s third Europa League place.
However, should Aston Villa manage to upset Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, Southampton may find themselves on the outside looking in. With a win providing the side with their only hope for automatic qualification, look for Southampton to be pushing Sunday at the Etihad.
On the other side of the pitch will be Manchester City. Though City do not have anything but pride to play for in this match, expect the Sky Blues to attempt to send their fans home for the summer with a smile on their face.
Suffering through spells of inconsistency, Manchester City have gone from second in the table down to fourth and back up to second all in the span of a few weeks. Manchester City are more skilled than Southampton, meaning a good performance from the home side should see them to victory.
Key Stats
- Manchester City have only lost one match against Southampton since 2012
- City have not lost in their last seven home matches
- Southampton have lost half of their away matches this season
- Southampton are tied with Chelsea for the least amount of goals allowed
Players to Watch
Sergio Agüero, despite missing portions of this season will almost certainly snag the Premier League’s golden boot award following the match. Using the award as inspiration, it would not be shocking to see Agüero add to his 31-goals.
More from The Top Flight
- Barcelona identify Newcastle star as Robert Lewandowski replacement
- Arsenal injury news: Mikel Arteta confirms “rapid” attacker suffered injury
- “600 days” Fans make SHOCK Chelsea revelation – They really are poor
- Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta rivals Manchester United for wonderkid
- Manchester United: Erik ten Hag pinpoints 4 players amid Brighton loss
Should Agüero lead the attack on Sunday, it is almost certain that Manchester City will score at least one goal. Whether it be sending the supporter’s home happy or the pride of adding to his already impressive goal total, expect the Argentine to lead the way.
If Southampton is to remain in this match, all the pressure will be on the shoulders of Captain Jose Fonte. Keeping everyone in tip-top shape at the back, Fonte will be looking to keep the Saints in the match.
Should the back line fail to hold off the Manchester City attack for most of this match, Southampton have no chance. Needing a win, Southampton will need to keep Manchester City from finding the back of the net while managing an attack.
Southampton needs a victory in this match to have a shot at automatic Europa League qualification. However, despite the encouragement that Europa League qualification is sure to provide, I believe Manchester City will — in the end — be too much for the Saints.
Manchester City — 2, Southampton — 1