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Man City vs Southampton: Can Saints pull off the massive upset

By Ryan Borowski

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton scores their side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Southampton at Bramall Lane on March 06, 2021 in Sheffield, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Egerton - Pool/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton scores their side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Southampton at Bramall Lane on March 06, 2021 in Sheffield, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Egerton - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Southampton will take on Manchester City later today who just lost their first match in what feels like years ago at this point.

When the two clubs met earlier this season it was a tight 1-0 victory for Manchester City as the Saints played hard and showed they were a team capable of competing with the best when they are in form.

This time around, Southampton are just snapping a winless streak and will look to push that win streak to two against the most in-form team in the world. Let us take a look at how both sides can win.

How Manchester City Will Win

City are coming off a loss in the Premier League for the first time since November and have not lost back-to-back league matches for some years at this point. They clearly have more talent then Southampton and even if they feature a heavily rotated side they will be favored.

They will dominate possession and if Southampton open up the game pressing them they could open up the defense for an early goal. Once they take a lead they can make it extremely difficult for Southampton to get back into it and if they grab a second it will be over.

I think they will come out of the gates fast trying to score in the first ten minutes and really set the tone for the game. If they can do that, it will be a long match for the Saints.

How Southampton Will Win

They will need to make Manchester City as uncomfortable on the ball as possible and set the tone that they are not afraid to take the game to them. They will be without Ings and Ralph said he could rest a number of players who just returned from injury so it could be a very interesting squad that goes out there to face City.

I do not think this means they are going to roll over and just defend for their lives. I think they will stick with the tactics and hope they can go in front and then defend for their lives.

It will be a large ask but they have beat City in recent memory and they would like to do so again.

Predicted Lineups

Manchester City: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Ederson

Defenders: Kyle Waker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Oleksandr Zinchenko

Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan

Forwards: Phil Foden, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling

Southampton: 4-2-2-2

Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster

Defenders: Kayne Ramsay, Jannik Vestergaard, Jan Bednarek, Ryan Bertrand

Midfielders: James Ward-Prowse, Ibrahima Diallo

Attacking Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong, Takumi Minamino

Strikers: Nathan Tella, Che Adams

Predicted Score:

Manchester City 2-1 Southampton

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