In the first proper mid-week matchday of the season, Manchester City play host to a rejuvenated Southampton side who come into the game off a 4-1 win over Everton.
After three months of poor performances and inefficiency in front of goal, Southampton confidently won a game this past weekend for the first time this season.
But there is no greater momentum-crusher than Manchester City, with the Citizens having won every single league game since they drew 1-1 with Everton way back in August. They’re also undefeated in 17 in all competitions.
Their start to the season is near-enough unmatched since records began with only two points dropped after 13 games. Despite heavy recruitment over the summer, Manchester City supporter Anthony Hughes believes the side have exceeded all expectations.
"“I think that City from a team perspective have exceeded expectations, I wouldn’t have expected to be eight points clear and unbeaten in 13 games within the League. “In regards of European competition, this is an area where we are lacking silverware and to top our group undefeated gives me as a fan and surely for the players great confidence for later in the season.”"
The Southampton supporters will be hoping that tonight’s result isn’t too bad as to dent the confidence that the players would’ve picked up after Sunday’s win. City go into the game as odds-on favourites and the Saints will be hoping that they only concede two or three.
City have a plethora of star players with four players having scored six goals or more so far already. Despite this, Anthony believes it’s the side’s maestro who poses the biggest threat to the Saints’ backline.
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"“It is very difficult to pick a single player when you consider the roster we have. I would have to put a stamp on Kevin De Bruyne. “This man has three goals and six assists in the Premier League and one goal and four assists in Champions League. He is a very key player to our success and his late goal against Chelsea this year shows how determined his is to get three points.”"
Despite having conceded the second-least goals in the league so far with seven, Manchester City are far from unbeatable. At the weekend, Huddersfield resisted for much of the 90, narrowly losing courtesy of a lucky goal from Raheem Sterling.
Anthony believes that Southampton’s main strength – their wing play – could be the way to break down City’s highly-improved defense.
"“I think that the Saints should look to exploit our backline by playing wide, forcing the full-backs to keep back and prevent them from pushing forward like Pep loves. I think this will invite pressure and cause mistakes at the back. “Southampton need to keep in mind that we have conceded six goals through open play this season and should use this to their advantage.”"
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It’d take a brave man for anyone to bet against Manchester City, with the side have defeated European giants like Napoli whilst also hitting Stoke City for seven. Anthony therefore obviously is confident that the blue side of Manchester will deliver another three points tonight.
"“I think naturally I am going to go with a City win ahead of the match. We have played each other 26 times and City have won 13 of those. I feel that we are high in confidence and will win 3-0. However, if Pellegrino’s side can play it wide and cause trouble at City’s backline then they could gain a foot hold in the match and possibly a goal or two!”"
Tonight’s game at the Etihad Stadium kicks off at 8:00PM.