Saturday night football brings leaders Manchester City to Southampton seeking revenge after a 0-0 draw with the Saints earlier this season. City dominated that meeting at the Etihad and a similar tone is to be expected in this game as they look to carry on their fine form. I have picked out 3 selections for a bet builder expecting a very one sided game, with a cheat sheet to accompany as per usual
Since the 0-0 draw in September, City have only failed to score once in the Premier league, running away with the league and now holding an 11 point lead. At the back they have conceded just 13 times all season and look to be hitting their best form down the difficult Winter stretch. It’s difficult to concentrate on specific players in such a well-rounded lineup but Joao Cancelo and Kevin de Bruyne have been two of the main stars this season with both expected to start on Saturday.
The Saints sit comfortably above the bottom 3 but have struggled to build on last season, currently in 12th. Defeat at Wolves last week showed the fragility of the Saints back line, despite James Ward-Prowse scoring another free kick screamer which feels like a weekly occurrence at this point.
Hassenhuttl has said he won’t set up his side to play for a 0-0 and City will want to extend their lead at the top, setting up a recipe for an attacking game from both sides, especially as City won’t fancy dropping points to the same opponents twice in the same season.
Southampton vs Manchester City Bet Builder Tips & Predictions
Phil Foden 1+ shots on target
Phil Foden leads City in shots on target per game this season at 1.16 per game according to the cheat sheet below. He has started in 6 away games this season, with 8 shots on target for 4 goals and 2 assists in that time playing mostly off the left wing or through the middle. Foden is expected to line up on the left this game again where Southampton should struggle without star right back Valentino Livramento, arguably the Saints best player this season.
City lead the league in shots this season and by far and away lead touches in penalty area too clearly allowing their front 3 the best possible chance to get their shots away. Southampton also concede over 10 shots per game this season so Foden should get plenty of opportunities and we know he’s not afraid to shoot.
At 1.25 odds, Foden should get his shot on target, being able to exploit the weaker side of the Saints back 3 due to injury. Similarly if Foden, lines up in the middle of the front 3 City’s ability to pass the ball in the net combined with Foden’s positioning should present the opportunity for a tap in.
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Prediction: Foden 1+ shots on target
Joao Cancelo 1+ shots on target
Signed as a right back from Juventus, Joao Cancelo has showed his versatility operating at the highest level at both right and left back this season. Defensively he has solidified the back line alongside fellow Portuguese international Ruben Dias and 39 shots in 21 games this season from full back show his work rate up and down the pitch and his attacking threat.
From a tactical perspective, Hassenhuttl’s Southampton have reverted to a back 3 in their past two games and should line up similarly here. Those two games have yielded 24 shots on target and Wolves left wing back Ait-Nouri found success in the same position as Cancelo netting an assist.
Saints using Wing backs should allow Cancelo more space and invite him to shoot which he has been more than happy to do this season when given less time. Cancelo’s quality should show, and I wouldn’t bet against a goal contribution for him in this game never mind the shot on target at 1.67.
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Prediction: Joao Cancelo 1+ shots on target
Mohammed Salisu to be carded
Mohammed Salisu leads the league in yellow cards despite ranking 12th for fouls conceded, therefore quite a high proportion of his tackles are yellow cards. Often the most difficult side to win the ball off, Man City frustrate opponents drawing plenty of fouls when they can’t get a touch of the ball.
Lining up on the left of the back three, Salisu was booked following a mistake made from frustration away at Wolves last week. It’s difficult to see how this game won’t frustrate Salisu in a similar way leading to opportunities for a yellow card.
City’s attackers draw plenty of fouls per game (Grealish 3.12 pg) (Sterling 1.97 pg) (Foden 1.52pg) and will be looking to Simon Hooper to produce his cards in this game. It would be expected that with Salisu’s card record he would be low odds but at odds of 3.75 this looks too good an offer to pass up in this bet builder.
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Prediction: Mohammed Salisu to be carded
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Southampton vs Manchester City Cheat Sheet
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing *
How to watch Southampton v Manchester City in the Premier League
📅 When is Southampton v Manchester City? / Saturday, 22nd January 2022, 17:30
🏟 Where is Southampton v Manchester City? / St Marys (Southampton)
📺 What TV channel is Southampton v Manchester City on? / Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports PL
🟨 …And who is the referee for Southampton v Manchester City? / Simon Hooper 🏴
