Southampton vs Manchester City Preview

December 29, 2018
By: Deke Hardman

Premier League

Sunday afternoon’s Premier League action from St Mary’s Stadium sees Southampton take on champions Manchester City.

After winning back-to-back league games for the first time since April 2017, the Saints were beaten at home to West Ham United on Thursday evening – a result that left them just three points above the bottom three.

They could be a lot close to the relegation zone by the time this game kicks off, with Cardiff City in action on Saturday afternoon though they are unlikely to finish the weekend in the bottom three even if they do lose, with Burnley’s goal difference far worse.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could return for the hosts after missing Thursday’s defeat through suspension while Mario Lemina is doubtful, and Michael Obafemi and Ryan Bertrand are out.

Danny Ings is widely available at 10.0 (9/1) to open the scoring, with Shane Long a 16.0 (15/1) chance with Bet Victor.

The home win is as highly priced as the 11.0 (10/1) on offer from a number of firms, with the visitors favourites at 1.33 (1/3) with Unibet. The draw can be backed at 6.0 (5/1) with a variety of bookmakers.

The visitors go into the game having suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time in two years, and you must go back to March 2016 for the last time they were beaten three times in succession.

They could well be nine points behind leaders Liverpool by the time this game kicks off, though if Jurgen Klopp’s side do lose to Arsenal in Saturday’s late kick-off City could be well back in the race by the time they welcome the Reds to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.

David Silva could return to the starting line-up though Fernandinho is likely to once again miss out and Fabien Delph is suspended.

Sergio Aguero, who has netted just once in the league since the 6-1 win over Southampton at the Etihad back in November is favourite to net first at 3.9 (29/10) with Bet Victor while Riyad Mahrez can be backed at 7.5 (13/2) with Unibet.

Southampton have failed to score in each of City’s last two visits to St Mary’s and the visitors can be backed to win to nil this time around at 2.25 (5/4) with Bet Victor.

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