Manchester City vs Southampton: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Southampton have had a woeful season so far, and we expect this to continue with a convincing Man City win. The Saints are winless this season, recording just one point from 24 available. City are the last unbeaten side in the league after eight games, with six wins and two draws. Pep Guardiola’s side are the top scorers with 19 goals, and face the second-worst defence in Southampton, who have allowed 18.

City have no losses in their last 14 games in all competitions, and have not lost in the league since December 2023. The visitors have not won in their last seven in all competitions and are without a clean sheet in their previous 10. Both teams have scored in five of the last six involving Man City and five of the last six involving Southampton – Man City 4-1 Southampton

Man City host struggling Southampton in the Premier League, looking for victory to keep pace at the top of the table as they defend their title.

Date: 26/10/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Etihad Stadium

A last minute victory last weekend against Wolves meant Man City remained in second place, trailing Liverpool by a point. Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth leaves City as the final unbeaten team in the league, and they will be confident in maintaining that feat against Southampton. Despite losing a vital piece in Rodri for the season, City have still been able to find ways to win. They have won four of their last five games in all competitions since his injury.

Visiting the Etihad is Southampton, who have struggled mightily so far. They were promoted back to the top flight via the playoffs last season and are aiming to maintain their Premier League status. However, it has been a disastrous spell in which they have earned just one point in eight games. It leaves them already with an uphill battle, though they are still only three points adrift from safety. They have missed plenty of opportunities to pick up points in recent weeks, conceding a 95th minute equaliser to Ipswich, and squandering a 2-0 lead to Leicester last weekend.

It gets no easier for the Saints as they take on the champions. Southampton’s 18 goals conceded is the second-worst in the league. They will have their hands full trying to contain all of City’s forwards, none more so than Erling Haaland. The league’s top scorer has scored 10 goals in eight games, but is scoreless in his last three league games. However, the bad news for the visitors is that he scored a brace in their last European game.

If Russell Martin’s side are to get any success, there are weaknesses in the City defence which can be exploited. City have fallen behind in four of their eight games so far, and have not kept a league clean sheet since the opening game. Although, Southampton have scored only six goals, which is the second least in the division. Cameron Archer is their leading scorer with two.

As expected, City have the better record between the two in recent seasons. In the last eight meetings, they have won five. Southampton’s one victory came in the League Cup. City did the double over the Saints two seasons ago, winning the home game 4-0 before beating them 4-1 at St Mary’s.

Man City vs Southampton will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.

Man City

The big absentee for Man City remains Rodri, who is out for the season with an ACL injury. Oscar Bobb is still out, and he is expected to return in the new year. Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker missed the last game and their availability is in doubt. Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne will also be assessed.

Southampton

Ross Stewart was injured in the game against Arsenal and is still expected to be out this weekend. Jack Stephens is available to return from suspension, but Ryan Fraser will begin his ban for a red card last time out.

Man City:

In their last five games, Man City have won four and drawn one. It has been a good start to the season for the Premier League champions. This run started a tricky trip to Newcastle. They were held to a 1-1 draw after Josko Gvardiol’s opener was cancelled out by a second half Anthony Gordon penalty.

A return to the Champions League saw a comfortable 4-0 win away at Slovan Bratislava. Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and James McAtee were all on the scoresheet. Their most recent game was a 3-2 win at home to Fulham. The visitors took a shock lead through Andreas Pereira, but a brace from Mateo Kovacic turned it around. Doku extended the lead before Fulham pulled another back. However, it was too late to complete a comeback.

They came back from the international break with a dramatic 2-1 victory away at Wolves. City fell behind early, but levelled the score with a stunning strike from Gvardiol. With the game headed for a draw, John Stones scored in the 95th minute to snatch all three points. Last time out they hosted Sparta Prague in the Champions League. They were dominant 5-0 winners with goals from Foden, Haaland (x2), Stones and Matheus Nunes.

Southampton:

In their last five games, Southampton have drawn two and lost three. It has been a difficult start to life back in the Premier League for the Saints as they still search for their first win. The first game of this run was an EFL Cup tie in which they took on Everton. The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes following two first-half goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. That sent the game to a penalty shootout which Southampton won 6-5.

The next game saw them denied a first league win of the season against Ipswich. Tyler Dibling gave them a fifth minute lead but Sam Morsy equalised in the 95th minute. They then faced a trip to Bournemouth, though they lost 3-1. The Cherries took a 3-0 half-time lead before Harwood-Bellis pulled one back shortly after the break.

Southampton’s struggles continued with a trip to title challenging Arsenal. The Saints took a shock lead through Archer, but this did not last long as Kai Havertz levelled the score three minutes later. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka secured the three points for the hosts. Their most recent game was at home to Leicester. They were defeated 3-2 after squandering a 2-0 lead, ultimately losing to a 98th minute winner from Jordan Ayew.

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