Prediction: Southampton win
Best Odds: 31/4
Bookmaker: 888sport
The FA Cup is back this weekend as we reach the quarter-final stage of the competition. Eight clubs up and down the country are gearing up for the last hurdle before reaching Wembley, which is where the semi-finals will be held. Today, we’re going to preview an all-Premier League tie that’ll take place on Sunday as Southampton prepare to play host to PL champions Manchester City.
Southampton
Southampton are eager to head back to Wembley after what’s been an incredibly testing FA Cup run for them thus far. They beat Swansea in the third round, edged past Coventry in the fourth and outclassed West Ham 3-1 in the fifth. Ralph Hasenhuttl knows his side are coming into this in bad form but if they can get off to a positive start in the opening 15 minutes, anything is possible.
Team News
Lyanco and McCarthy have been ruled out of this one through injury with Tella, Livramento and Broja currently being viewed as fitness doubts.
Manchester City
It feels like Manchester City win 95% of their games at this point and while that may not be entirely accurate, nobody can deny the incredible consistency Pep Guardiola has been able to bring to the Etihad. In the FA Cup this season they’ve had the luck of the draw on their side with wins over Swindon, Fulham and Peterborough all coming with a sense of inevitability about them.
Team News
The only two injury worries for City are Dias (ruled out) and Palmer (doubtful) with Pep expected to name a rotated side for the trip to St Mary’s.
Factors to Consider
- Man City are 1st in the Premier League whereas Southampton are 10th.
- Southampton have won three and lost three of their last six games.
- Man City have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
- Southampton have scored nine goals and conceded nine in their last six games.
- Man City have scored nine goals and conceded four in their last six games.
Conclusion
While City may come across as this unstoppable force, they’re going to be spreading themselves across three competitions in the next few months. While they will respect the FA Cup, especially in this game, the atmosphere on the south coast is bound to be as lively as it’s been in a long time. We’re backing the Saints to spring an upset with a determined and gritty 2-1 win.
Prediction: Southampton win
Best Odds: 31/4
Bookmaker: 888sport
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