Manchester City look to extend their unbeaten run as they welcome struggling Southampton to the Etihad Stadium.
After a late come-from-behind victory over Wolves last weekend, Manchester City currently boast the fourth-longest unbeaten run in Premier League history at 31 games, but they still have a long way to go to dethrone Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run. be.
Considering the fortunes of each team in recent years, it will take a huge effort from Russell Martin’s Saints to defeat the champions.
City have not suffered a defeat in the league for over a year and Southampton have not won in the top flight since March 2023.
City’s options in the wings have taken a serious hit after manager Josep Guardiola confirmed that both Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku will be out for periods of time.
Southampton winger Ryan Fraser will receive a one-match ban after being sent off against Leicester City last weekend, while midfielder Will Smallbone and attacker Ross Stewart will be given a one-match suspension. Due to the issue, he could be sidelined until after the November international break.
Manchester City vs Southampton – match preview and team news
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Manchester City: DWWWW
Manchester City have won four games in a row, making them the only Premier League club to maintain an unbeaten record this season.
They only dropped points against Newcastle United and Arsenal, winning all their other games.
Josep Guardiola’s side didn’t even break a sweat in midweek’s Champions League, defeating Sparta Prague by five points.
Erling Haaland scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season, the first of which almost defied the laws of human anatomy.
The Norwegian stretched his legs to an almost impossible angle and fired an acrobatic backheel shot past Danish goalkeeper Peter Vindaar Jensen.
For a great marksman looking to break every scoring record, there is a shortage of top players.
Southampton: DDLLL
Saints have picked up just one point from their opening eight games, and sit in 19th place on goal difference, ahead of last-placed Wolves.
Russell Martin’s stubbornness in his tactical philosophy has prevented him from winning the Championship play-offs, with him frequently making mistakes at the back while trying to play possession-based football.
Their lowest point came last weekend, when they surrendered a two-goal lead at half-time to lose 3-2 at home to fellow promoted side Leicester City.
Jordan Ayew scored the winning goal eight minutes into stoppage time, breaking Southampton’s hearts and putting Saints in dire straits.
They need to pick up points and pick up speed, but they move to a team that hasn’t lost in the Premier League since October 2023.
Last fixture: Southampton 1-4 Manchester City, Premier League, April 8, 2023
The last time the two teams clashed was a one-sided affair at St Mary’s, with Manchester City dispatching Southampton.
The Citizens didn’t need to go into second gear and took the lead with Erling Haaland’s close-range header.
The match after the interval followed a similar pattern, with the Irishman saving his first attack before Jack Grealish doubled their advantage by scoring past Gavin Bazunu on his second ask.
Josep Guardiola’s men played fluidly and Haaland confidently scored his second goal of the game.
Grealish lofted a probing ball to the back post and the Norwegian connected with a scissor-kick move, finishing past the Southampton goalkeeper.
The hosts pulled one back with a goal from Sekou Mara, but the Frenchman’s goal had little impact on the result. City’s fourth goal came from Julian Alvarez’s penalty, securing the three points.
Both clubs will have very different fates at the end of the season. Manchester City eventually won the Premier League title, but Southampton were relegated to the Championship after ten years in England’s top flight.
Expected lineup
Manchester City: Ederson. Diaz, Gvardior, Stones. Luiz, Kovacic, Foden, Silva, Gundogan, Sabinho. haaland
Southampton: Ramsdale. Walker Peters, Harwood Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor. Dibling, Aribo, Downs, Ugochukwu, Manning. archer
Who is the referee?
Tony Harrington will be the match official. He will be assisted by Derek Eaton and Akil Howson, with Sam Allison becoming the fourth officer. VAR will be David Coote, assisted by Simon Long.
What channel is Manchester City vs Southampton being broadcast on?
The match between Man City and Southampton is not available to watch in the UK.
What time is kickoff?
Kick-off at Etihad Stadium is 15:00 BST on Saturday 26 October 2024.
odds
Manchester City – 1/10
Lottery – 10/1
Southampton – 22/1
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