Ahead of the Manchester City and Southampton clash in the EPL we take to FIFA 17 to see how the video game predicts the match will go.
City return to the EPL hoping to stop a slide that has seen them go winning across competitions in multiple games. Manchester City have the better ratings, but the defensive form is down heading into the match with the Saints.
Pre-Match
Team Ratings: Southampton 78 (Att) 76 (Mid) 78 (Def) & Man City 84 (Att) 85 (Mid) 81 (Def)
Southampton: Narrow 4-1-2-1-2 pattern with Nathan Redmond and Shane Long up top
City: Holding 4-3-3 pattern with Nolito and Sterling flanking Aguero up top
First Half
- Conditions were slick and fast as rain was coming down in Manchester.
- 7th Minute – Great moves by Aguero in the 18 with a pass to a wide open De Bruyne who slotted it away. (CITY 1-0 SAINTS)
- 23rd Minute – Southampton finds Davis clear at the top of the box who forces a big save from Bravo.
- 27th Minute – Sterling makes room for himself, gets away the shot, but misses the target.
- 37th Minute – A short corner, followed by several close passes around the 18 creates an opening for Aguero who puts it away (CITY 2-0 SAINTS)
Second Half
- No changes at the start of the second half.
- Lots of back and forth action, but no clear chances for either side.
- 72nd minute – Great cross for Southampton with attackers closing in on the goal, but Bravo made a diving save.
- 74th minute – Cutting passes from the Saints and Tadic puts it away (CITY 2-1 SAINTS)
- SUBS 81st Minute: Fernandinho replaced by Gundogan, Fernando in for David Silva, Charlie Austin in for Shane Long
- Two more great chances created by Southampton, but fail to convert either.
- SUB: 86th Minute – Cedric in for Pied.
- 88th Minute – Corner is seen away initially, but in the second phase Otamendi puts away a header (CITY 3-1 SAINTS)
- 91st Minute – Everyone charging forward a cross into the box sees Nolito put away a diving header (CITY 4-1 SAINTS)
Next: Combined Best XI: Manchester City vs. Southampton
Final Stats
Score: 4-1
Man of the Match: Sergio Aguero
Shots: 6 / 5 in favor of Man City
Possession: 56 % to City