Manchester City FC vs Southampton FC, free match prediction 10 Mar 2021

MANCHESTER CITY FC vs SOUTHAMPTON FC Match Preview & Analysis

Manchester City’s progression to the title took a small but frustrating tumble at the weekend as they lost to their rival neighbours Manchester United 2-0.

Although they remain 11 points clear at the top of the table, they’ll be disappointed at losing in a much-anticipated derby match, as well as watching their 21-game winning streak end.

Nevertheless, their determination will be stronger than ever here, with Guardiola ensuring that his players understand just how important it is that they bounce back quickly with critical games on the horizon.

Southampton finally ended their terrible run of form at the weekend, with a much-needed win over Sheffield United adding three valuable points to their tally for the first time since 4th January.

With a seven-point gap to the relegation places, the Saints are likely to be safe this season, but they must still look to add to their 33 points wherever possible.

It’ll be difficult to do that here, however.

Teams Preview

Manchester City FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): WWWWL

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Have won seven of their last eight meetings with Saints

     Guardiola has never lost back-to-back home league games in his career

Reasons to be fearful:

     Will hope that their defeat at the weekend is not the start of a decline in form

     Saints have done well against big teams this season

City’s result against United may have come at a good time in the context of their season, with a defeat serving as a kick up the backside before more important games come over the next few weeks.

Losing in a derby is never welcome, but with an 11-point lead at the top of the table, it may serve to show these City players that they are not invincible, and they must sharpen their focus with games in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup final on the horizon.

This is a good fixture for City to have as a follow up, with their record over the Saints exceptional in recent years. They’ve won seven of their most recent eight meetings.

However, City must hope that their defeat at the weekend is just a blip rather than a decline – we’ve all seen just how shocking Liverpool’s recent run has been.

City have a fully fit squad here, but as usual may rotate several players with the likes of Silva, Foden and Aguero hoping for a recall.

Star Man – Raheem Sterling

Was quiet at the weekend, but has 11 goal involvements from his 16 games against the Saints.

Southampton FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LDLLW

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Weekend win ended nine match wait for victory

     Have won both their games against league leaders this season

Reasons to be fearful:

     Their 2021 tally of seven points is the worst in the division

     Haven’t earned successive away victories since last June

Southampton will be desperately relieved to have got that win under their belt at the weekend, one which is only their second of 2021 so far.

It has been a disastrous run of form, with eight defeats coming from nine matches, and their league position slipping from 6th to 14th. Any hopes of claiming a European place for next season were dashed.

Here, they’ll be without their top scorer Danny Ings, likely to be out with injury for the remainder of the month, although Che Adams and midfielder Ward-Prowse have proved to be regular scorers this season.

You feel that Southampton could begin to rediscover some of their better form from earlier in the season, though this is a tough match to claim anything from.

Star Man – Che Adams

Ended a goal drought of 13 games at the weekend, as he netted in the 2-0 win over Sheffield United. Will be crucial to Saint’s hopes here.