On Sunday afternoon, Saints take on the newly crowned Premier League champions Manchester City in their final Premier League game of the season at St. Mary’s.
After a crucial win against Swansea earlier this week, Southampton are virtually safe from relegation and only a ten-goal swing between them and Swansea – who host already relegated Stoke – will be able to send them down. It should be a joyous occasion for all related with the club after avoiding relegation in a season that, overall, has been full of turmoil.
However, there isn’t really a much more challenging outfit that we could be facing on Sunday as the champions come to town. Their football has been delicious to feast on this season and, even though they’ve already won the league, the Citizens still have something to play for. After breaking the records for most goals in a season and most wins, City are chasing the record for most points in a season as a win on Sunday would make Guardiola’s men the first side in Premier League history to reach triple figures in their points tally.
Saints will have to be wary of the threat that City possess but should also be enthused by not only recent performances, but also the performance they produced at the Etihad back in November, unluckily losing in added time.
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Why Southampton will win
Saints are in their best form all season after picking up eight points from their last four games in the league, scoring four goals and keeping two clean sheets in the process. Redmond has impressed over the last few weeks, especially after coming on and scoring up at Everton last weekend.
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Even though relegation is now almost impossible, Southampton will still need to put a good performance in to prevent a bloodbath on the pitch to reduce any remaining chances of dropping down to the Championship and to also see out the season in style.
The five at the back system has been efficient recently and has seen only two goals conceded in the last four games and so it will be interesting to see how the system fares against the all time record goal-scorers in a single Premier League season.
We’re in good form and have enthusiasm and momentum on our side ahead of this clash, which is a game every player will want to be involved in so that they can test themselves against arguably the best ever Premier League side in history.
Why Manchester City will win
I think the answer is pretty obvious to be honest – sublime football. Guardiola’s revolution has been a joy to watch as a neutral and there is no doubt that they will be in top gear in order to achieve that record points tally.
The Blues have goals all across the field and Saints really will need to try and reduce the number of goals that they do score due to the fact that, however unlikely relegation may be now, we’re not mathematically safe.
With just a string of passes from the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva or Leroy Sane, the defence could be cut to ribbons which is really what needs to be watched out for as this team just oozes class.
Predicted line-ups
Southampton:
Goalkeeper – Alex McCarthy
Defenders – Maya Yoshida, Jack Stephens, Wesley Hoedt
Midfielders – Cedric Soares, Oriol Romeu, Pierre Hojbjerg, Ryan Bertrand
Attackers – Dusan Tadic, Charlie Austin, Nathan Redmond
Manchester City:
Goalkeeper – Ederson
Defenders – Danilo, Aymeric Laporte, Vincent Kompany, Benjamin Mendy
Midfielders – Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva
Attackers – Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane
Verdict
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City