Manchester City v Southampton
After a very disappointing night against one of his previous clubs, Pep Guardiola will look for his side to bounce back in emphatic fashion against a Southampton side that seems to be finding its feet under new manager Claude Puel.
Southampton have a day less recovery time after their participation in the Europa League on Thursday and it’s going to take something special from them to win as most of the stats are going against them for this one.
The most even stat is recent form as both sides have 3 wins, a draw and a loss in their last 5 games. Southampton perhaps shade it as Manchester City’s loss and draw have come in their last two games whilst Southampton picked up a draw against Leicester in the 7th round of matches and then a win against Burnley last weekend.
Another area where Southampton shade things is in the area of defense. With one goal less conceded by Southampton in their first 8 games (7 instead of the 8 conceded by City) they are ever so slightly ahead. That does stumble a little when you look at respective home/away records as Southampton have conceded a goal per game away from home and City have just let in 3 at the Etihad.
After that, though, it’s grim reading for Southampton fans. Their attack isn’t as strong as City’s, their 7 places behind in the league, have lost half of their away games so far this season and are up against the team with the best home record in the league.
They also have to deal with a City side that is hurting after that defeat by Barcelona. Good sides bounce back. Great sides (and City could be in that area) bounce back and make their next opponents hurt.
Honestly, I find it very difficult to give Southampton much chance at all in this game and can see why the Green Listed Bookmakers are only giving odds up to 1.54 for a home win. Even at odds that low I reckon there is some value in there although I wouldn’t go below 1.5.
This will be a tough match for a Southampton side that has impressed at times this season. Despite another summer of players moving in and out they seem to have improved once again and appears to be a lot more attacking this season without losing their defensive solidity.
Manchester City won this game 3-1 last season and I can see a similar result this time round. With that in mind, I’m happy to go for a bet on Manchester City -1 which is available at 1.84 with BetVictor.
It will be a good match to kick off the Sunday action and we should see some goals.
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