Manchester City vs Southampton

Etihad Stadium

3:00pm

The Champions obviously have their eyes on continental glory but they will prepare for the big one with the league, they love breaking new records and they have everything it takes to go all the way, the depth is solid and the options are quite deep, Pep Guardiola should be excited.

Southampton were quite unlucky not to earn maximum points against Westham last time out, goalless it ended and the Hammers even had a man sent off as leading scorer for the season so far Michail Antonio got his marching orders.

Southampton doesn’t really have a good record against the Citizens but just a little over a year ago, Raphael Hassenhuetl’s side earned a brilliant 1-0 win over the Champions at the tail end of the pandemic season but Liverpool already wrapped up the title then.

Outside that, City have beaten the Saints in the rest of the fixtures before and after that and this might just be another stroll in the park depending largely on what Southampton bring to the table at the Etihad on Saturday.

How will they line up? Southampton can’t defend to save their own lives, they are very expressive and they will try to grab their own moment anytime they’re able to get one, they did against Manchester United, they will take same to the Cityzens on Saturday.

Manchester City for once are having a stable starting eleven, uncharacteristic of Guardiola but apart from Ederson who is a mainstay, the quartet of Cancelo, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Ferran Torres are regulars this season.

The midweek game in Europe saw the return of the duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden which will offer the accomplished manager enough options for the games ahead and Southampton will definitely feel the wrath of the returning men.

City will like to go top and Southampton will also like to win for the first time as they are yet to pick a win this season, with three of their last four ending in draws.

Watch out for Livermento at Southampton’s left back as well as James Ward Prowse on set pieces. City will be all over the Saints as only 3 points will make sense for the champions but an upset isn’t impossible, just maybe not this time.

Verdict: City to win