Manchester City’s 21-game winning streak in all competitions came to an end at the weekend in the Manchester Derby. The Cityzens fell 2-0 to Manchester United in a surprise result.
Now, Pep Guardiola’s team must dust themselves off and will aim to get back to winning ways versus Southampton. The Cityzens defeated a much more in-form Southampton 1-0 in December thanks to a first half goal from Raheem Sterling.
5️⃣ goals past Barnsley in 2013, which got us to the FA Cup semi-final 😀🙌 ⏰ #OnThisDay 2013🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klUGiM pic.twitter.com/3Z1E942CS7— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 9, 2021
5️⃣ goals past Barnsley in 2013, which got us to the FA Cup semi-final 😀🙌 ⏰ #OnThisDay 2013🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klUGiM pic.twitter.com/3Z1E942CS7
Since December when the teams played at St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton have sunk down the table. They are now in a relegation battle and need points to remain in the Premier League.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team are just seven points above 18th-placed Fulham. Relegation is not out of the question, making this game in hand vital for Southampton on Wednesday night.
The Saints are coming off of a matchday 28, 2-0 win, versus Sheffield United. James Ward-Prowess and Che Adams found the back of the net as Southampton got a massive win in a six-point affair.
Coming out of the Manchester Derby, critics of Manchester City have outlined the cracks in the team. A lack of a Sergio Aguero-alternative and defensive frailties were exploited by Manchester United.
It seems so many members of the media that praised an “unstoppable” Manchester City have now changed their tune. Despite the team’s loss at the weekend, they should play strongly against Southampton in midweek. The Saints are simply not at the level of the Cityzens.
Injuries will play a part in Wednesday night’s game as Hasenhuttl is without his top striker, Danny Ings. The striker suffered an injury against Sheffield United and will remain out until mid-April.
Winger Theo Walcott is ruled out with a thigh injury. Joining both Ings and Walcott on the sidelines are Michael Obafemi, William Smallbone, and Oriol Romelu.
Guardiola has just one injury, but could get centre-back Nathan Ake back in the team. Ake is training with the first-team once more and could get a chance to play to regain match fitness.
Manchester City will return to Champions League action next week against Borussia Monchengladbach. Before they get back to the last 16, they will face Southampton and Fulham in consecutive games.
On paper, Manchester City should claim two wins thanks to playing relegation-threatened teams.
The Cityzens won by a narrow 1-0 scoreline earlier this season. However, they should score more goals this time around as Southampton’s form is far worse now.
The teams should combine for over 2.5 goals on Wednesday and claim a win against a relegation-worried Southampton.