Southampton v Manchester City : Match Preview
By David Crook
Manchester City follow up their 4:0 victory over the Champions, Liverpool, with a potential banana skin away to Southampton.
On the face of it Southampton should not prove too tricky a prospect for a newly resurgent Manchester City, buoyed by the demolition of the Champions just a few days before.
The Saints should be safe from relegation and perhaps have little to play for but football tends to throw up the unexpected and this is a game where potential slip ups for City lurk around every corner.
Danny Ings the Southampton striker is deep into a good run of form, seemingly scoring in every game from half chances and we all know we may well gift wrap him some half chances.
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Under the attention of Manager Ralf Hasenhutl, Southampton have rediscovered a tenacious touch in the tackle and their record defeat earlier in the season to Leicester now seems a long time ago.
City will need to be sharp to overcome Southampton and focussed. If City play to their best then this should be a breeze but the likelihood is City may rotate from the team which dismantled Liverpool.
Southampton will present some massed defensive ranks, most likely the two banks of 5 we have come to expect. Hopefully City can find a way through early on but if not this could prove to be a tight affair.
I half expect Kevin De Bruyne to be rested for this game allowing a combination of Phil Foden and David Silva to try and dominate possession.
The biggest shock could come in defence. Will Pep keep Laporte and Garcia together or will they be rested allowing either Nicolas Otamendi or even John Stones to come into the game? What would not be a shock would be if the full backs were rotated. I think Zinchenko and Cancelo will play.
Up front Pep will rely upon Jesus. Let us hope his poor recent record in front of goal is addressed today.
Clinching the Centurions season away at Southampton in the last seconds of the game back in May 2018 was one of Jesus’ best moments in a City shirt. Let us hope after tomorrow he has at least one more great moment to add to his list!