On Saturday Southampton entertain Champions League chasing Manchester City. Both teams go into the weekend game with mixed form, however both picked up wins last Saturday.
St Mary’s is the place for goals where fans have witnessed over 2.5 goals scored in five of Southampton’s last six home games, and they play a strong Man City squad who have also scored over 2.5 goals in their last three games.
Man City come into the game undefeated in nine of their last 10 matches in the Premier League making the tie even more interesting for the spectator.
Classic Encounters
The last time the Saints hosted Man City in the 2015/16 season they completely obliterated them 4-2 with now Liverpool winger Sadio Mane bagging himself a hat-trick.
Shane Long started the punishment of the Citizens in the 25th minute and three minutes later Mane found his first of three goals.
Kelechi Iheanacho managed to half the deficit before half-time with the Blues thinking that they were still in the game.
A nine minute sucker punch from Mane to complete his hat-trick ended City’s hope of taking three points before they played their second leg of Champions League football against Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Iheanacho scored twelve minutes from time, however it was only a consolation goal as the Saints ran riot at St Mary’s.
Key Battles
Maya Yoshida vs Sergio Aguero
Japanese international Maya Yoshida as blossomed in the heart of Southampton’s defence following the absence of Virgil Van Dijk and the sale of former club captain Jose Fonte.
He will have a huge job on his hands as he will look to keep quiet goal machine Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian likes to pick the ball up from deep and often go wide, so the Saints centre-back will need to make sure he’s not pulled out of position when the former Atletico Madrid striker roams in the Saints half.
Nathan Redmond vs Jesus Navas
Pep Guardiola has shuffled his pack yet again with the experiment of Spanish star Jesus Navas now playing at right-back.
Whilst an injury to Bacary Sagna has made the former Barcelona boss play a very attacking-minded winger in a defensive position, it seems to have paid dividends so far.
However, the Spaniard will have a different task on Saturday with newly capped England international up against him.
Nathan Redmond has struggled to live up to his predecessor Sadio Mane, but in his first season for the Saints he should be happy with his performances and he can only get better.
Navas won’t be beaten for pace, but it will be the ability to defend the tricky, well-positioned winger which will cause him problems.
Team News
After sitting out the 3-1 win over Hull, Fernandinho could come back into the side, as may Kevin De Bruyne, with Fabian Delph and Yaya Toure both dropping out of the XI.
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