Prediction: Manchester City vs Southampton

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways in midweek, Manchester City will welcome Southampton to an empty Etihad on Wednesday evening.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, after watching their remarkable 21-match winning run come to an end over the weekend, Manchester City will be desperate to start rebuilding that record from scratch. With bitter rivals Manchester United landing a shock 2-0 victory at The Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s men will be looking to prove that was just a minor blip. Still managing to hold onto a commanding 11-point buffer at the top of the Premier League table, The Sky Blues still appear to be cruising towards their third domestic crown in four years. With many around the blue half of Manchester still believing that their side could land a quadruple-winning campaign after picking up a 2-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Champions League duties last month, City should be smelling a real chance in midweek. Not losing back-to-back Premier League contests on home soil since February 2016 under Manuel Pellegrini, it should also be noted that Guardiola’s squad picked up a 1-0 win when they made the trip to St. Mary’s back in December.

Team News

After watching their 21-match winning run come to an end on Sunday, Pep Guardiola is expected to make a string of changes.

The likes of Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero are among the players hoping for a recall.

Southampton

As for the visitors, after managing to end their woeful run of form away at a rock-bottom Sheffield United over the weekend, Southampton couldn’t have asked for a tougher task in midweek. Easing some of the growing relegation worries around St. Mary’s with a 2-0 victory at Bramall Lane on Saturday, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men picked up their first Premier League win since January 4th. Despite briefly climbing to the top of the table back in November, the former RB Leipzig boss has seen his side endure a top-flight nightmare. Freefalling their way down the table, Southampton’s tallies in 2021 of seven points, eight goals scored and 25 conceded are the worst in the division. A side that was really showing the effects of that dreadful 9-0 drumming against Manchester United last month, The Saints have also won just one of their last eight Premier League matchups away from the south coast. Suffering a 1-0 loss against City back in December and without a win at The Etihad since 2004, Southampton should be in for another tough test.

Team News

In a real hit for The Saints, Southampton will be without attacking talisman Danny Ings for the rest of the month after suffering a leg muscle injury during their win at Sheffield United.

Wednesday’s guests will also assess the fitness of youngster Nathan Tella ahead of their trip to The Etihad.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off back in December, Manchester City picked up a 1-0 win at St. Mary’s.
• City’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester United on Sunday brought an end to their 21-match winning run across all formats.
• Despite their victory against Sheffield United over the weekend, Southampton’s tallies in 2021 of seven points, eight goals scored and 25 conceded are the worst in the division.
• The Saints have not won an away fixture in the blue half of Manchester since 2004.
• Pep Guardiola has never lost back-to-back home league games in his managerial career.

Conclusion

While Southampton might have brought an end to their woeful run of form over the weekend, they certainly face a sterner test in midweek. Enduring a Premier League nightmare since opening 2021, Pep Guardiola’s side should be looking to make a real statement after watching their remarkable winning run brought to an abrupt halt. With Manchester United’s 2-0 derby victory bringing an end to City’s 21-match winning run, The Sky Blues will be confident of reclaiming their 14-point lead at the top of the table. With Southampton unable to call upon attacking talisman Danny Ings on Wednesday evening, it should also be noted that they hold a dreadful record at The Etihad. Without a win in the blue half of Manchester since 2004, we’re backing what should be another long 90 minutes for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men.

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet