Southampton v Man City match preview
Manchester City can take another step towards Champions League qualification and win a sixth consecutive game in all competitions when they visit relegated Southampton on Saturday.
Kevin De Bruyne’s 35th-minute winner gave the Cityzens victory at home to resurgent Wolves on May 2, and they are three points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest with a significant goal superiority before their final three league games.
Victory would move the Cityzens level on points with second-placed Arsenal if the Gunners lose at champions Liverpool on Sunday.
This is also the last Premier League game for Pep Guardiola’s side before they face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on May 17 (16:30 BST).
Working towards Southampton 💪🩵 pic.twitter.com/PmHwxJWIYe
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 8, 2025
While City have recaptured some of the form that has allowed them to become the dominant force in English football under Guardiola, Southampton’s defeat last Saturday will have made them all the more eager for the season to end.
The Saints lost 2-0 at fellow relegation certainties Leicester City, ensuring that they will finish bottom of the pile as well as making an immediate return to the Championship.
Southampton are winless in 12 matches in all competitions since their victory at Ipswich Town on February 1, losing 10 times along the way.
“You’ve got to go and have belief you’re going to get something out the game,” said manager Simon Rusk. “We’re at home. Everyone knows what they possess.”
The hosts must earn a point from their remaining three games to beat Derby County’s record low points total in the Premier League of 11 points, registered in 2007/08.
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Southampton v Man City team news
Rusk said Southampton have a “fairly clean bill of health” after training “quite vigorously” on Thursday, with Mateus Fernandes recovering from a chest infection that caused the midfielder to be replaced during the second half at Leicester.
Defenders Nathan Ake (foot) and John Stones (thigh) remain out for City, as does Rodri while the midfielder continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
Erling Haaland has trained this week and could make his return from an ankle injury that has kept the top scorer out since March 30.
Norway international Haaland was an unused substitute against Wolves but could start with an eye on building his sharpness for the FA Cup final.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 8, 2025
Southampton v Man City expected line-ups
Southampton starting XI: Ramsdale, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Manning, Fernandes, Stewart, Sulemana
Man City starting XI: Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Kovacic, Silva, Marmoush, De Bruyne, Doku, Haaland
