Southampton should not be a stumbling block for Manchester City
Southampton are in last place in the Premier League, but that’s not too much of an issue with just a few weeks to go as the relegation battle in England is completely crazy. Many teams are involved, even two wins can help immensely.
The bookmakers’ Southampton vs Manchester City prediction, meanwhile, shows that bettors are clearly backing the Skyblues. This is not really surprising given the large gap in the table, as the bottom team receives the second in the table.
It will be interesting to see whether the visitors will now switch back into their typical mode and win game after game in the final spurt and title fight. We definitely think they will, which is why our Southampton vs. Manchester City tip is that the visitors will pull off a start-finish victory.
Southampton – Statistics & current form
Southampton FC have also imagined the season to be significantly different. A look at the table currently shows that the team is in 20th place and has only picked up 23 points from 29 games. Most recently, there was a 0:1 against West Ham in the relegation thriller, Ruben Selles had to rebuild his team afterwards. Overall, the team simply lacks the ideal mix.
Under Selles, who only took over at the end of February, things were a little better at the beginning before the team fell back into old patterns. Only two players have scored more than two goals, offensively the Saints are very often shockingly harmless. And defensively, the team clearly produces too many mistakes. After all, despite the many poor statistics, the save bank is only four points away. Southampton therefore still have a chance of staying in the league.
None of the last four games could be won, but there were nevertheless pleasing games in this phase. Southampton drew against Manchester United and Tottenham, which gives them hope that they can do the same against Manchester City. Even a point would be important for morale.
Southampton in a relegation place for a long time
This is visibly scratched. Since matchday 15, Southampton have been in a relegation place without interruption, and that does something to a team. Self-confidence is not really there, yet against City a “now more than ever” mentality can arise, which is not seldom the case when a team is on the brink and supposedly has no chance.
However, Southampton have only won one of their last 13 league games against Manchester City and have failed to score in three of their last four. Four of the last six home games against the Skyblues have also been lost. All these are not good omens ahead of this clash.
Based on the stats and current form, our prediction ahead of Southampton vs Manchester City is that the visitors will not only win the game, but lead at half-time.
Last matches played by Southampton:
Premier League
02/04/2023 – West Ham 1 – 0 Southampton
18/03/2023 – Southampton 3 – 3 Tottenham
16/03/2023 – Southampton 0 – 2 Brentford
12/03/2023 – Manchester United 0 – 0 Southampton
05/03/2023 – Southampton 1 – 0 Leicester
Manchester City – Statistics & current form
Manchester City are in title contention, eight points behind Arsenal but with one more game in hand. The Skyblues and Pep Guardiola are familiar with such a situation and know how to deal with it. Meanwhile, the agenda is clear: City must win, win, win. Given the high quality of the squad, that should be a realistic goal.
But so far there have been the games in which City have not excelled. The Skyblues now have four draws and four defeats to their name. 71 goals are a fantastic figure, 26 goals conceded are good, but not outstanding. However, they have recently won four league games in a row, which is the longest streak this season.
Hope for the Saints comes from the fact that City have failed more often away from home than at home, even at relegation candidates like Nottingham (1:1). One positive for the visitors is that Erling Haaland is back from injury and will at least be an option on the bench.
Manchester City like Southampton as opponents
The Skyblues’ record against Southampton reads very well, with the first leg a resounding 4-0.Anyway, there are often those games when the City attack really gets going. Eight times Guardiola’s eleven scored four times or even more in the current league season.
But: In the EFL Cup, Southampton were able to defeat the Skyblues at St. Mary’s. Pep Guardiola remembers the game in January only reluctantly. Nevertheless, the omens are completely different this time, because Manchester City have now got back into their own rhythm. Kevin de Bruyne, who could give his 100th assist in the league, should be particularly motivated.
Now it’s into the phase of the season when City are usually particularly strong. Therefore, ahead of the Southampton vs Manchester City game, our value tip is that the visitors win and the Saints don’t score.
Last matches played by Manchester City:
Premier League
01/04/2023 – Manchester City 4 – 1 Liverpool FC
FA Cup
19/03/2023 – Manchester City 6 – 0 Burnley
Champions League Final
15/03/2023 – Manchester City 7 – 0 RB Leipzig
Premier League
12/03/2023 – Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Manchester City
04/03/2023 – Manchester City 2 – 0 Newcastle
Southampton – Manchester City Direct comparison / H2H record
Overall, the head-to-head comparison is not as clearly in favour of the Skyblues as recent years might have suggested. Manchester City have won 40 games against these opponents, but Southampton themselves have won 33. Recently, though, there have been a lot of games that have gone pro City.
Southampton – Manchester City Tip
Southampton have their backs to the wall but still have the confidence to cause Manchester City problems, as they did in the EFL Cup. The visitors, meanwhile, need every win to put the pressure on Arsenal.
Of course, the visitors are the clear favourites. That’s why, before the match between Southampton and Manchester City, our tip is that the visitors will take a start-finish victory.
