Southampton vs Man City: EPL Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

Manchester City have the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points with a win at Southampton vs Man City.

Match Details:

• Location: Southampton, England
• Stadium: St Mary's
• Date: Saturday 8 April
• Kick-off Time: 17:30 BST / 12:30 ET / 09:30 PST
• Referee: Robert Jones
• VAR: John Brooks

Southampton vs Man City: Match Preview

Saturday's late game sees a clash between two sides with very different fights on their hands. Hosts Southampton find themselves cemented to the bottom of the table, a sizeable four points from safety, while Premier League behemoths, Manchester City, continue to chase down Arsenal in search of a third consecutive top-flight title.

As has been the case all season, these two sides endured differing fortunes last time out.

Southampton took a trip to east London on Sunday, knowing a result against fellow relegation-battlers, West Ham, could kickstart a timely survival surge. However, Nayef Aguerd's first goal for the Hammers decided the game, with the visitors failing to score for the 12th time this season, with only Bournemouth (14) and Crystal Palace (13) drawing a blank in the top-flight more often this season.

January-signing Paul Onuachu came closest to scoring for Saints, only to see his late effort come back off the frame of the goal. However, once again, a lack of cutting-edge cost the Hampshire side dearly.

All set for the Saints! 🔜 pic.twitter.com/BPGqf75Gfx

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 7, 2023

While Southampton toiled in the capital, the Cityzens triumphed in Manchester, outgunning their recent title rivals Liverpool to the tune of four goals to one. The Reds did open the scoring via Mohamed Salah, but that turned out to be the Reds' only shot on target of the game (City had eight), and Klopp's underperforming charges were ultimately no match for a rampant home side who strode on to a deserved 4-1 win, their fourth consecutive league victory this season and Guardiola's 100th home victory in the Premier League.

That victory kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal, who themselves enjoyed a 4-1 home win on Saturday, comfortably dismissing a visiting Leeds to keep the gap at the top to eight points, albeit having played a game more than City.

With Southampton coming into this clash four games without a win and Manchester City enjoying a four-game winning streak, the contrast in fortunes could hardly be more stark.

Team News:

Southampton:

Manager Ruben Selles has ruled Che Adams and Mohammed Salisu out of contention to face Man City having returned from the international break with injuries.

Armel Bella-Kotchap will be assessed on a shoulder problem closer to the game. Tino Livramento has resumed training but is not available just yet.

Juan Larios is likely to miss the rest of the season.

Man City:

With their UEFA Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich on the horizon, expect a healthy dose of Pep Guardiola FPL roulette here.

No exceptions tomorrow 💪#ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/m0vtjBrMtU

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 7, 2023

Erling Haaland could return to the fold having resumed training this week, though Phil Foden is still recovering after a short bout of appendicitis.

Southampton vs Man City: Head to Head

• Manchester City have a good record against Southampton and have won 40 out of the 100 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Southampton's 33 victories.
• Southampton have won only one of their last 13 matches against Manchester City in the Premier League, with their previous such victory coming by a 1-0 margin in 2020.
• Manchester City have won four of their last six away games against Southampton in the Premier League but were held to a 1-1 draw in this particular fixture last season.

Don't miss tomorrow's Matchday Live show ahead of our #PL game against Southampton! ⏳

⏰ 16:25 UK Time
🎙 Steve Howey, @OfficialPDickov & @OfficialSGoater pic.twitter.com/mhEkVw4s6w

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 7, 2023

Predicted Line-ups:

Southampton predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Caleta-Car, Perraud; Ward-Prowse, Lavia; S. Armstrong, Alcaraz, Sulemana; Onuachu

Man City predicted lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, Silva, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish

SOU vs MCI: Fantasy XI