Prediction: Manchester City vs Southampton

Verdict: Erling Haaland to score 2+ goals

Best Odds: 13/8

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to lay down another marker on Saturday afternoon, Manchester City will welcome a struggling Southampton to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, putting in another rampant display earlier in the week while on Champions League duties, Manchester City have their sights set on making real history this season. Eventually cruising their way to a 5-0 romp at home against Copenhagen, Pep Guardiola’s superstars should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. While the former Barcelona boss might still find his side sat one-point adrift of Arsenal and climbing to the top of the table, the defending champions are tipped as a landslide pick to defend their crown this time around. Last seen on top-flight duties picking up Manchester bragging rights as they hit United for six at the Etihad, Saturday’s hosts are now the only Premier League outfit who are yet to suffer a single def at since opening the 2022/23 campaign. With their new attacking icon enjoying a remarkable start since arriving in England, City should rightfully be smelling a golden chance here.

Team News

Bagging yet another Champions League brace against Copenhagen earlier in the week and already notching 14 Premier League goals, Erling Haaland will once again spearhead Manchester City’s charge here. Likewise, impressing on Wednesday night, England international Jack Grealish should keep his place in Guardiola’s starting XI.

However, suffering a muscle injury while away with England on Nations League duties last month, John Stones will once again miss out on Saturday afternoon.

Southampton

As for the visitors, while Manchester City might be in the midst of another purple patch, the same cannot be said for a struggling Southampton squad. Marking their return from September’s international break last weekend as they were hit with a sluggish 2-1 loss at home against Everton, it appears there is a huge amount of pressure on Ralph Hasenhüttl’s shoulders. With growing speculation that the one-time RB Leipzig boss could be given on his way out of St.Mary’s, the Saints have now lost four of their last five Premier League contests – including three defeats on the spin. Once again battling it out at the foot of the table and with some fearing that they could be at the heart of a relegation scrap, there is no doubt that Southampton should be bracing themselves for a huge challenge on Saturday afternoon.

Team News

Southampton have already confirmed that the duo of Valentino Livramento and ex-Manchester City starlet Romeo Lavia will once again miss out this weekend.

Despite failing to find the net in his last five Premier League appearances, Scotland international Che Adams will likely lead Hasenhüttl’s charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off on March 20th while on FA Cup duties, Manchester City picks up a 4-1 victory at St. Mary’s.
• Bagging another trio against Manchester United last weekend, Erling Haaland became the first player in Premier League history to score three consecutive home hat-tricks.
• In fact, the 22-year-old superstar has bagged a staggering 14 goals in his opening eight top-flight appearances.
• Southampton have lost four of their previous five Premier League matchups – including three defeats on the spin.
• Continuing on from last season, Southampton have picked up just a single Premier League win on the road since February 9th.

Conclusion

Storming their way to yet another Champions League romp earlier in the week, Manchester City should be smelling another golden chance here. Firing on all cylinders and still boosted by their stellar 6-3 victory against their local neighbours last weekend, Guardiola’s new attacking icon will also have his sights set on making even more history. Becoming the first player in Premier League history to bag three consecutive hat-tricks on home soil, Haaland will be looking to cash in on a struggling Southampton. Losing each of their last three top-flight appearances and picking up just three points from their last five outings, Saturday’s guests face a monumental task here. With the 22-year-old already notching a staggering 14 domestic strikes, it is hard not to see Haaland extending on his rampant purple patch at the Etihad.

Verdict: Erling Haaland to score 2+ goals

Best Odds: 13/8

Bookmaker: Unibet