Manchester City will aim to maintain their recent good form and stay in touch with Arsenal when they take on bottom-placed Southampton.
Ruben Selles can only look at the league table and worry. In recent weeks the 18th and 19th positions have changed hands considerably. But Southampton remain rooted at the bottom of the table ahead of the game against Manchester City. Despite some positive results along the way, their position seems fixed, and the manager must do plenty to get them going.
The 3-3 draw against Tottenham produced plenty of controversy for the opposition, but Southampton have not capitalised on that result. Following that was the narrow loss to West Ham United courtesy of a Nayef Agued goal at the London Stadium.
The #MoveOfTheMatch had to be the brilliant build-up play that led to @julianalvarezzz's goal! 😮💨@Sure | #ad pic.twitter.com/Q8cuz8Qodm
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 4, 2023
Now, they gear up to face title-chasing Manchester City at St. Mary’s. Selles will look back at their most recent result with the champions, a 2-0 home win in the Carabao Cup, and wonder if they can repeat the trick. A victory on Saturday will be massive for the Saints in their quest to move out of the relegation zone.
On the other hand, Manchester City seem to have found their mojo back and are steadily stitching together their customary end-of-the-season run. They have not dropped points since the away draw to Nottingham Forest in mid-February. Since then, they have won each of their four Premier League fixtures.
Last weekend, they thoroughly defeated Liverpool and put a dent in Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of finishing in the top four. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the first half, but Manchester City duly responded with a supreme second-half performance to bury the Reds.
Guardiola will have sights on catching Arsenal in the late run-in towards the title. The Gunners are eight points ahead, having played an extra game. Manchester City are known to put in a solid run at this stage of the season, and they will hope to add to that with a win over Southampton.
Team News & Tactics
Southampton
Ruben Selles has confirmed the absence of Che Adams and Mohammed Salisu for the Manchester City clash. The latter did not take part against West Ham United and will remain absent. In his place, Duje Caleta-Car will continue in central defence alongside Jan Bedranek.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 7, 2023
There are also question marks over Armel Bella-Kotchap’s availability, and it is safe to assume the defender may not play a part from the start against Manchester City. Valentino Livramento returned to full training but remained away from joining the group.
A back four of Kyle Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Caleta-Car and Romain Perraud could take shape for Southampton. Romeo Lavia has become an undisputed choice for Selles to start in central midfield, and he will do so alongside James Ward-Prowse.
Stuart Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi will take up the wide berths. Theo Walcott and Sekou Mara will lead the line for Southampton in a two-prone attacking setup.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Caleta-Car, Perraud; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Elyounoussi; Mara, Walcott
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola could ponder changing his lineup to face Southampton keeping the midweek clash with Bayern Munich in mind. Erling Haaland returned to training this week, missing the international break and the win over Liverpool.
A familiar face returns to training! 😅 pic.twitter.com/PHwfKqoyiB
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 5, 2023
The Norwegian striker might find himself on the bench, as Guardiola might not want to risk him yet. He could get a start against Bayern Munich next week, meaning Julian Alvarez could continue in the team and produce another good display.
Kevin De Bruyne’s rising form will force Guardiola to retain the Belgian in his lineup. He will have Riyad Mahrez and the in-form Jack Grealish for support from wide areas. The trio will support Alvarez as he leads the line for Manchester City.
Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan are well-placed to start in central midfield. Behind them, Guardiola could again play John Stones in that inverted right-back role, with Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias marshalling the centre of defence. Nathan Ake will continue at left-back, although his role consists of becoming a part of a back three in progression.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Stones, Akanji, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Grealish; Alvarez
Key Stats
- Southampton have only won one of their last 13 Premier League meetings with Man City.
- Southampton are without a win in their last four games in the Premier League.
- Manchester City have won six of their last seven matches in the Premier League.
- Manchester City are only behind Arsenal in the away table, securing 27 points during their travels this season.
- Manchester City have scored 17 goals in their last three games across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Jack Grealish
Saturday pic.twitter.com/OqblbssXax
— Manchester City US (@ManCityUS) April 1, 2023
Grealish is on the quest to justify his £100 million asking price as his upturn in form continues. He put in a masterful performance against Liverpool to create and then score late to cap off a solid display. The attacker has steadily become one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted players this season and will hope to improve.
Grealish has made the left attacking berth his own following the absence of Foden. The former Aston Villa star remains on course to complete the season on a strong note, as supporters hope to see another brilliant performance against Southampton.
Prediction
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City
Manchester City usually enters every game as clear favourites, and that will remain the case when they visit Southampton. Pep Guardiola’s men have hit a rich vein of form, scoring 17 times in their last three games in three different competitions.
Southampton will surely miss Mohammed Salisu, meaning Selles will have to hope the partnership of Jan Bednarek and Duje Caleta-Car have what it takes to stop Manchester City. Supporters can expect another goal fest from Guardiola’s side, and the men in blue could well shatter our 1-3 prediction.
