Manchester City welcome Southampton to the Etihad Stadium in a rearranged Premier League clash.
Victory would see Man City restore their 14 point lead over Manchester United in the title race, whereas Southampton can climb to 11th with a win.
Team News
Nathan Ake could return for Man City after not being risked in Sunday’s defeat to cross-city rivals, Manchester United.
Southampton will be without Danny Ings after the striker suffered a muscle injury in Saturday’s away win at Sheffield United.
Theo Walcott (muscle), Oriol Romeu (ankle), Will Smallbone (knee) and Michael Obafemi (unspecified) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Man City have lost just one of their last eight league matches against Southampton (W7, L1)
- Southampton have taken just one point from their last five league trips to City (D1, L4).
- Both teams have scored in 11 of their last 12 meetings at the Etihad Stadium in all competitions, with the only exception seeing City win 2-0 in May 2015.
- Two of Southampton’s four away league goals in 2021 have come from James Ward-Prowse.
- City haven’t lost consecutive home league games since February 2016 when they lost to Leicester and Tottenham Hotspur, which is a 96 home league game run without back-to-back losses.
Prediction
Having gone 21 matches unbeaten in all competitions, Man City were uncharacteristically off the pace on Sunday with sloppy play from the get-go as they struggled to match their usual let alone Man Utd’s high tempo pace and energy.
Southampton meanwhile have struggled away from home in 2021 but looked back to their strong quality at Sheffield Utd on Saturday with defence ripping long balls, mixed with sharp attacking pace and runs on the flanks which punished defensive errors from the Blades.
I am therefore expecting a competitive game here because City will be keen to produce a reaction and avoid creating a rut at the wrong time in this hectic season, whereas Southampton will have to tighten up and take their chances given the difference in opposition quality from last weekend.
This therefore could go either way but I am going for a late home winner if City turn up and deliver a more typical performance.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Southampton
Result: Manchester City 5-2 Southampton