MANCHESTER CITY'S title chase continues at rock-bottom Southampton on Saturday evening in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Southampton vs Manchester City odds
Here are the latest match odds for Southampton vs Manchester City.
Southampton vs Manchester City betting preview
For both sides, losing this doesn’t bear thinking about.
Southampton sit bottom of the pile in the Premier League and head into the weekend four points safety. With a poor goal difference and just nine games left, that’s beginning to look perilous.
City, meanwhile, need points for a contrasting reason. The gap they need to make up is on leaders Arsenal and it’s one which currently sits at eight points, albeit with a game in hand. Even with the Gunners still to play, things are out of City’s hands so they definitely don’t want to be dropping more points.
Top scorer Erling Haaland returned to training in midweek to boost City’s hopes, although with a Champions League tie with Bayern Munich coming up, any doubts about the Norwegian’s groin could see him held back.
He certainly wasn’t missed last weekend when Liverpool were put to the sword 4-1, a performance which showed City mean business heading into the final two months of what could yet be a Treble-winning season.
How Pep Guardiola rotates his squad will be key to how many trophies City end up with but whoever he puts out here should be capable of claiming the three points on offer.
Saints have the worst home record in the top flight, winning only two of 14 and losing eight.
City have the second-best away record (after Arsenal) and have won seven out of eight away to sides in the current bottom half. The one blemish came at Nottingham Forest, a game they must still be wondering how they failed to win after dominating.
Yes, Southampton did win this very fixture when the teams met in the Carabao Cup earlier this season but City really have their eye on a prize now so don’t expect a repeat.
Best betting offers for Southampton vs Manchester City
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Southampton vs Manchester City key stats
- The Premier League’s top scorer Erling Haaland is likely to be fit again for Manchester City following a groin strain.
- Che Adams and Mohamed Salisu could both return to the Southampton squad after both missed last week’s defeat at West Ham due to injuries picked up on international duty.
- Southampton have the worst home record in the league, winning only 10 points from their 14 games at St Mary’s.
- Only Bournemouth have conceded more set-piece goals than Southampton.
- Since the start of the 2021/22 season, Southampton have avoided defeat to City in three of the sides’ five meetings.
Southampton vs Manchester City best bets
First half to be highest-scoring half
City have Bayern Munich to play on Tuesday so, as long as things are going to plan, expect a raft of changes in the second half.
An ideal day for the reigning champions sees them two up at the break, allowing them to ease through the second half, protecting said lead and resting players.
They have the talent to turn that plan into reality and some good game management in the second half could well see this bet land at a tasty price.
It already has delivered in games at Bournemouth and Wolves this season.
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Back first half to be highest-scoring half at 2/1 at Spreadex
Ruben Dias to score at any time
Southampton are vulnerable from set-plays – only Bournemouth have conceded more than their 12 goals from such situations.
Unfortunately for Saints, City are strong on set-pieces with only Newcastle having had more set-piece shots.
A big threat of late has been Ruben Dias with his shot numbers impressive since his return to the starting XI after injury.
City look likely to target Dias from set pieces in this game and the Portuguese defender is a tempting price to find the net against the basement-dwellers.
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Back Dias to score at any time at 10/1 at bet365
Jack Grealish to assist a goal
Grealish has been a key player of late for Manchester City with his goal contributions really picking up.
Focusing on assists, Grealish now has five in his last 12 appearances with four in his last 10 starts.
The likely return of Erling Haaland to the team only makes another Grealish assist more likely.
City could well give Southampton a bit of a kicking here and at 3/1, a Grealish assist looks overpriced.
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Back Grealish to assist a goal at 3/1 at William Hill
How to watch Southampton vs Manchester City
- Location: St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, England.
- Time: Saturday, April 8, 17:30 BST
- Where to watch: Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event
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