2024-25 Premier League: Week Nine – Man City vs Southampton

Manchester City continue their Premier League title defence against relegation-battling Southampton at Etihad Stadium.

Victory would see Man City go top with Liverpool not in action until Sunday afternoon.

Southampton could climb out of the relegation zone with a win if Ipswich lose at Brentford.

 

Team News

Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku are ruled out for Man City after they missed the Champions League win over Sparta Prague, with the details of their injuries yet to be publicly revealed.

Kevin De Bruyne (groin) and Kyle Walker (knock) are doubtful for selection.

Rodri (knee) and Oscar Bobb (leg) remain absent.

Southampton will be without Ryan Fraser following his red card in their 3-2 loss to Leicester last weekend.

Yukinari Sugawara (fitness) is a doubt but Jack Stephens is available after completing his suspension.

Will Smallbone (thigh), Gavin Bazunu and Ross Stewart (both Achilles) remain ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Man City host Southampton on Saturday 26 October at Etihad Stadium in a 3pm BST kick-off, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Man City are unbeaten in their last six league meetings against Southampton (W4, D2).
• Southampton are winless in their last 12 league visits to Man City (D2, L10).
• City’s Erling Haaland has three goals in two league appearances against Southampton (W2).
• Haaland has failed to score in City’s last three league matches, so is looking to avoid four consecutive blanks for first time since a nine-match goalless run from December 2023 – February 2024.
• All three of Southampton’s away goals in this season’s top-flight were scored after half-time.

 

Prediction

Off the back of a ruthless home win over Sparta Prague despite missing Grealish and Doku, Man City surely view this as an easy-looking home win if they can get at Southampton’s sloppy defence.

Russell Martin’s Saints though can’t be underestimated despite blowing a 2-0 lead against Leicester, because they mounted a resilient defensive effort at Arsenal in their last away trip until the Gunners broke them down.

I however don’t see that happening here because City will have too much but neither defence are strong, so Southampton could nick a goal.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Southampton

Result: Manchester City 1-0 Southampton