Southampton vs Manchester City

Southampton and Manchester City are set to trade tackles in a lopsided Premier League clash at St Mary’s Stadium.

Comfortably beaten by fellow relegation boys Leicester City 2-0 last weekend, Southampton confirmed their bottom-place finish in 2024/25 and increased the chance of equaling Derby County’s infamous tally for the fewest points earned by a club in a single Premier League campaign (11). As if that’s not embarrassing enough, another defeat here would see the Saints equal another unwanted record for most losses in a single Premier League season. Manchester City’s arrival doesn’t make for good reading, considering the hosts have only won one of their last 15 top-flight encounters against the Etihad giants (D3, L11). Yet, that only success came on this ground in July 2020. Southampton at least made Man City sweat in this season’s reverse fixture, going down 1-0 at the Etihad in October.

On the other hand, Manchester City officially surrendered the Premier League crown to Liverpool last weekend despite beating Wolverhampton 1-0 to extend their unbeaten streak in all competitions to nine matches (W7, D2). Pep Guardiola’s men have hit the ground running a bit late, though a four-game winning league run put them within three points of runners-up Arsenal. However, there’s ample room for improvement on the road as they’ve blown hot and cold across their last five Premier League travels (W2, D1, L2). Still, after beating Everton 2-0 on their most recent league trip, the Citizens can record back-to-back away wins in the top flight for the first time since August.