EPL’s Most Prolific Side Attack The League’s Worst Defense As Champions City Look To Compound Saints Woes

 

These two sides met a couple of days ago in the Carabao Cup with a second-string City side brushing Southampton aside with a comfortable 3-1 win.

A much stronger Manchester City armed with their big guns such as Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva will be aiming to complete a four-day double over the Saints when they welcome them to the Etihad again on Saturday.

Southampton are really struggling at the moment and just days after suffering a record 9-0 loss to Leicester City, the Saints face the champions who are in great form.

The free-scoring Citizens went down to a shock 0-2 defeat at home to Wolves on October 6th but have responded in typical fashion by winning each of their four fixtures since in all competitions while racking up an aggregate score of 13-2 in the process.

The odds look stacked against Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men on Saturday and it won’t be a surprise if the first priority of the visitors would be to keep the score down at the Etihad.

Team News

Manchester City

Angelino picked up a knock in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday night and is unlikely to make the matchday squad here.

Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero both started in midweek in a surprise move by Pep Guardiola but only one is expected to get the nod here.

Fernandinho is available again after serving a one-match ban in midweek and will push to return to the side here.

Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva will return to the side after being rested on Tuesday night, while Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo compete for a starting spot at right-back.

Southampton

Ryan Bertrand serves the second of a three-match ban on Saturday, while Cedric Soares and Moussa Djenepo remain sidelined.

Match Facts

City have won 22 of their last 25 home matches (Premier League).

Man City have been winning at both half time and full time in 8 of their last 10 home matches against Southampton in all competitions.

Man City have won their last 6 matches against Southampton in all competitions.

Man City have seen over 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 11 home matches against Southampton in all competitions.

Man City have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 8 home matches (Premier League).

Man City have scored at least 2 goals in 10 of their last 11 matches (Premier League).

Southampton have failed to win their last 5 matches (Premier League).

Prediction

Manchester City are the Premier League’s highest scoring side by some distance with the champions having scored over 2.5 goals in 10 of their 15 competitive games since the summer, winning seven of those contests by three or more goals. It could end badly for Southampton who head to the Etihad with the Premier League’s worst defensive record.

Tip: Over 3.5 Match Goals