Southampton vs Manchester City : Citizens Chase 2nd Spot as Saints Look to Sink with Pride

Manchester City are marching toward a Champions League spot, and Southampton are already waving goodbye to the Premier League. When the two sides meet at St Mary’s this Saturday, it’ll be a classic case of power vs pity.

Will Southampton salvage a bit of pride? Or will City steamroll them like they’ve done to so many other bottom clubs?

Southampton’s numbers tell a horror story. They’ve conceded in 18 consecutive league matches — and in 14 of those, they’ve let in two or more goals. That level of fragility hasn’t improved under Simon Rusk. The Saints have won just twice in their last 28 games across all competitions, and any lead they manage often evaporates: they’ve dropped 28 points from winning positions this season.

City, by contrast, are peaking late. With 5 straight wins and a 9 game unbeaten streak, Pep Guardiola’s men are showing signs of their old ruthless selves. They’ve also kept clean sheets in their last 3 away games, and they haven’t lost to a bottom-placed team in the Premier League since 2008. 

Southampton (3-4-2-1)🔴: 

Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Manning; Fernandes, Sulemana; Onuachu 

Manchester City (4-3-3)🔵: 

Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo; Marmoush, Haaland, Doku 

Given City’s firepower and Southampton’s leaky backline, a comfortable, high-scoring away win is very much on the cards.

City have scored at least 2 goals in 10 of their last 12 PL wins, and Southampton have conceded 82 goals this season — an average of 2.34 per game. Staking on goals will be a good option.

City average 6.54 corners per game, while Southampton take about 4 per game at home. With both sides likely to stretch play — City to dominate, Saints to counter — this bet offers serious value.

City are locked in and focused. Southampton are already out. Unless Pep’s side dramatically underperform, this should be a clean and clinical job. Expect goals, dominance, and perhaps a Haaland special.