Prediction: Southampton vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil 

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on their EFL Cup adventure on Wednesday night, Manchester City will make the trip to Southampton.

Southampton

Starting with the hosts, after managing to snatch a shock FA Cup victory away at fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace last weekend, Southampton will be desperate to use that display as a platform to build on. However. while Nathan Jones’ new squad might have eventually left Selhurst Park with a 2-1 victory, the Saints find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap in 2023. Opening the New Year with what could be a crucial 1-0 loss at home against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest, the former Luton boss finds his side sat rock-bottom of the Premier League table. Tipped as one of the leading relegation picks this time around, the midweek hosts will be more than aware that they face a huge challenge on Wednesday night. In fact, suffering a routine 4-0 drumming when they last faced off against City at the Etihad on October 8th, Southampton have claimed just a single win from any of their last 15 straight showdowns against the defending English champions.

Team News

Still dealing with a knee injury, Southampton will be without defender Armel Bella-Kotchap for the remainder of their January schedule.

Likewise, the Saints are also expected to miss the likes of Valentino Livramento, Juan Larios, Theo Walcott and Alex McCarthy in midweek. Scotland international Stuart Armstrong is also a major injury doubt here.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, while Manchester City might still find themselves sat five points adrift of Arsenal in this season’s title chase, Pep Guardiola’s superstars are riding a recent wave of momentum. Last seen over the weekend extending on their FA Cup run thanks to a 4-0 romp at home against Chelsea, the one-time Barcelona boss has seen his side continue to impress since returning from the World Cup break. Despite signing off 2022 with a 1-1 draw against relegation scrappers Everton, the Sky Blues have proven that was nothing more than a minor blip. With just a single domestic defeat to their name since a 1-0 loss at Anfield on October 16th, Guardiola’s side will simply be looking to avoid an EFL Cup banana skin on Wednesday night. Likewise, winning each of their last three Premier League showdowns away from the Etihad by an aggregate score of 5-1, City are rightfully tipped as a standout pick at St. Mary’s.

Team News

Picking up a hamstring injury while away with Portugal at last month’s World Cup, Ruben Dias is still not ready to make his return in midweek.

With Guardiola expected to make a host of changes on Wednesday night, the likes of Stefan Ortega will be hoping for a recall here. However, attacking talisman Erling Haaland could be given the night off.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off on October 8th, Manchester City picked up a 4-0 romp at the Etihad.
• Likewise, the defending Premier League champions have lost just one of their last 15 straight meetings against Southampton – a run that stems back to May 2016.
• Southampton have failed to claim a victory at St. Mary’s against Premier League opposition since August 30th.
• Manchester City have won each of their previous three Premier League matchups away from the Etihad by an aggregate score of 5-1.
• The Sky Blues have also bagged 12 strikes in their five domestic appearances since returning from the World Cup break.

Conclusion

Although Southampton might have snatched a much-needed FA Cup boost away at Crystal Palace last weekend, Wednesday’s hosts will know that they face a huge task here. Sat rock-bottom of the Premier League table and suffering a 4-0 loss when they made the trip to the Etihad back in October, Manchester City will simply be looking for a repeat display here. Losing just one of their last 15 straight meetings against the midweek hosts – a run that stems back to May 2016 – Guardiola’s men are rightfully tipped as a runaway pick on the south coast. While the Sky Blues are expected to make a host of changes, it is hard to see an EFL Cup upset at St. Mary’s.

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil 

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet