Southampton - Manchester City Prediction and Analysis
Southampton host Manchester City in a quarter-final match of the English League Cup tournament.
Citizens boss Pep Guardiola may have one eye on Saturday's city derby with United.
But he usually doesn't take too many liberties at this stage of the Carabao Cup.
The Spaniard also knows that Southampton have been a difficult team for Man City to overcome in recent seasons.
Especially at St Mary's - the Saints are unbeaten against the Citizens in 2 of their previous 3 league games here (1-1-1).
Today, however, this is unlikely to happen.
Given the fact that Southampton are neck deep in the Premier League.
And this tournament will be an additional burden for them in the already difficult battle for survival in the elite.
However, the hosts are likely to score today as they have done so in 8 of their previous 11 matches against Man City.
Additionally, the goal/goal option has been available in 7 of the Saints' last 8 official matches .
Ilkay Gundogan has started 15 times for the Citizens in 20 appearances in this competition and has four gold medals.
But still no goal for the League Cup.
It's a strange anomaly for a player who has scored 51 times in other competitions for the Sky Blues.
That's why I included him as a potential goalscorer in this football prediction of mine.
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Southampton - statistics and info
The Saints drew twice against Man City in the Premier League last season under Ralf Hasenhütl.
Also, they won here against the Citizens in July 2020.
However, the Saints were hammered 4-0 by the Sky Blues at the Etihad Stadium in early October.
Which was one of 10 defeats in their last 13 Premier League games.
Southampton have eliminated Cambridge, Sheffield Wednesday and Lincoln so far in the League Cup.
While Saturday saw them win 2-1 in the FA Cup away to Crystal Palace.
The Saints took advantage of some weaknesses in the defense of last season's semi-finalists.
As James Ward-Prowse and Adam Armstrong scored the goals for them.
Manager Nathan Jones said:
"Look, the most important thing is to make sure we are a Premier League team first and foremost . Every cup is a bonus.
Now we have a quarter-final on Wednesday where we face one of the best teams in the world.
So the schedule is busy and hectic.”
Overall, though, this looks too tough a test for Southampton right now.
Manchester City - statistics and info
Manchester City are still in contention for a historic 4th title this season after back-to-back wins over Chelsea.
Guardiola's side won 1-0 away in the Premier League last Thursday.
And then it was another 4-0 FA Cup triumph at home on Sunday.
The Spaniard made 7 changes for the match at the Etihad Stadium. Including resting Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
But still the Londoners had no answer.
Riyad Mahrez scored three times in these two matches . And the manager was full of praise for the Algeria winger.
Pep Guardiola commented:
"Riyadh quality is everything. He likes to play football. He helped us break the deadlock with a fantastic free kick.
In important games, Riyad is a fantastic player, I know how important he is. He plays really, really well.”
Manchester City have an uncanny ability to rotate and change personnel but maintain their rhythm.
And this is possible because of the depth in its composition .
On that note, the likes of Jack Grealish, John Stones, Nathan Ayke and Ilkay Gundogan should be available again today.
Squads and injured footballers
Southampton
Lineup: Bazunu; Lyanko, Kaleta-Kar, Salisu; Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Peraud; Edozi, A. Armstrong; Adams
Injured: Bela-Kochap, Armstrong
Questionable: Livramento, Larios, Walcott, McCarthy
Manchester City
Lineup: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake; De Bruyne, Phillips, Gundogan; Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish
Injured: Diaz,
Matches between Southampton - Man City
| League | Date | Match |
|---|---|---|
| VL | 08/10/22 | Man City 4:0 Southampton |
| KA | 20/03/22 | Southampton 1:4 Man City |
| VL | 22/01/22 | Southampton 1:1 Man City |
| VL | 18/09/21 | Man City 0:0 Southampton |
| VL | 10/03/21 | Man City 5:2 Southampton |
| VL | 19/12/20 | Southampton 0:1 Man City |
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