Southampton FC vs Manchester City FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Southampton FC vs Manchester City FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Manchester City continue to be locked in their battle with Arsenal at the top, with neither side seemingly willing to give an inch in their impressive, entertaining battle for the title.

City have a game in hand on their rivals, although they would still be five points behind if they win that. Right now, they must keep on winning just to stay within touching distance.

Their form is excellent, as usual under Guardiola, but they will be wary of a mistake away from home against a team fighting for their survival.

Southampton are in danger of becoming cut adrift at the bottom the of the Premier League, with a four-point gap emerging between them and safety.

The Saints have just six wins all season and just one within their last five. It is a run of form that is likely to see them relegated unless they can produce a remarkable comeback.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Southampton FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Beat City 2-0 in their January Carabao Cup clash

     This could feel like a free hit against City

Reasons to be fearful:

     Just one short of their club record for defeats in a season - 19

     They have the worst home record in the league with just two wins

Up until now, all three teams at the bottom were staying within touching distance of the five or six teams above the drop zone, ensuring that they had a solid chance of safety this season.

Recently, however, Southampton have started to gradually fall behind the others, opening up a worrying four-point gap to 17th.

There is still time to fix that, although that window is closing fast. Home fixtures are often the lifeblood for teams fighting relegation, but St. Mary’s hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Saints this season.

With just two wins and 10 points from their 14 home games, they have the worst record in the division. They did, of course, beat City at home in the Carabao Cup but that feels like a lifetime away.

Star Man – James Ward-Prowse

It seems strange to think, but Southampton would be even worse off without Ward-Prowse in their midfield. The creative, set-piece genius can create a goal from nothing.

Manchester City FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Won seven consecutive games in all competitions

     Beaten all nine teams they have played at the bottom of the league under Guardiola

Reasons to be fearful

     Already conceded as many goals this season as they did last

     One slip up could hand Arsenal the title

Pep Guardiola and his team know that one slip up could well hand the title to Arsenal this season, who already have an eight-point lead over the Cityzens.

City have shown that they don’t quite have the same ability to go on long winning runs this season – they have four consecutive league wins for the first time this campaign – but they have all the experience.

You wouldn’t bet against them hauling down Arsenal, but they have to win games like this to do so. Guardiola will want to put on a show to make up for losing to Southampton in the cup earlier this year, too.

Star Man – Erling Haaland

The phenomenal striker is fit to return for City this weekend, having missed the Liverpool game last week. He’s now two away from 30 league goals for the season.