Southampton v Man City – St. Mary’s at 16:30 live on Sky Sports 1
Southampton welcome Man City to St. Mary’s this Sunday for the late afternoon Premier League kick off. Both teams are chasing European football next year, but different competitions.
It’s been an inconsistent season for the Saints, as they have either looked excellent, showing the form of last season,or very bad, going on a terrible run of 1 win in 8 at the end of 2015.
Defensively they haven’t been as strong as last season and have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 9 league matches. Despite leaking more goals than Koeman would like, they are in decent form currently, losing just one of their last 7 games.
They sit in 8th place, a point behind Liverpool and 2 behind West Ham. They will believe they are still in with a chance of claiming a Europa League place, but having played 1 more game, they can’t really afford to be dropping any more points.
City themselves have had an inconsistent and disappointing season, but have also hit a bit of form of late. They unbeaten in 5, winning 4, including 4 nil wins over Bournemouth and Stoke and a 3-0 away win over Chelsea.
This is a tough fixture for the Citizens, not only being Southampton away which is always a tough match, but the game is between their 1st and 2nd leg Champions League semi final matches against Real Madrid.
They drew 0-0 at the Etihad on Tuesday with the Spanish giants so have it all to play for at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. Pellegrini didn’t rest as many players as I though he may have done against Stoke last week, which paid off. And with Man Utd hot on their heels in the league, with a top 4 finish not yet secured, he may just pick a strong team again this Sunday.
Knowing they need a goal at the Bernabeu, may just mean he leaves Sergio Aguero on the bench though, along with De Bruyne. With Silva set to miss the clash in Madrid, City can’t afford to lose anyone else.
This is a close one to call without knowing team selection, however, I think the Saints have been under-estimated. With home advantage, plenty to play for and recent form, they off some value +/- 0 on the Asian Handicap betting market at 1.98.
Asian Handicap Betting Recommendation: Southampton +/- 0 at 1.98
Prices correct at time of writing.
By @SC457.
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