Manchester City travel to St Mary’s Stadium this weekend to take on Southampton.
The 2024/25 campaign has been very underwhelming for Pep Guardiola’s men as the Manchester club have gone from winning four Premier League titles in a row to fighting for a place in next season’s Champions League.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 35 | 25 | 7 | 3 | 81 | 35 | 46 | 82 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 35 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 64 | 31 | 33 | 67 |
| 3 |  Man CityManchester City | 35 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 64 |
| 4 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 35 | 19 | 6 | 10 | 66 | 45 | 21 | 63 |
| 5 |  ChelseaChelsea | 35 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 62 | 41 | 21 | 63 |
Erling Haaland is not happy with how Man City’s season has played out; however, it can be salvaged by finishing in the top five, in addition to winning the FA Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Manchester club will take a big step towards their league goal with a win over Southampton, and many expect Guardiola’s men to bring all three points back to the Etihad Stadium, with BBC pundit Chris Sutton admitting that he has now seen something different in City ahead of Saturday’s clash.
- READ MORE: Girlfriend of £101m Man City target now wants Manchester move but the player’s parents disagree
Man City have built momentum at the right time
Gary Neville left Paul Scholes stunned when predicting Man City to beat Southampton by a score of only 2-0 this weekend, as the Manchester club have been in great form of late.
Although Guardiola’s team are not back to their very best, City have remained unbeaten in their last nine matches, and Sutton expects the Manchester club to make that 10 at the weekend as he has been impressed with the momentum they have built.
- Premier League
-
Man CityManchester City
1|0
WolvesWolves
-
- Premier League
-
Man CityManchester City
2|1
Aston VillaAston Villa
-
- Premier League
-
EvertonEverton
0|2
Man CityManchester City
-
- Premier League
-
Man CityManchester City
5|2
Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace
-
- Premier League
-
Man UtdManchester United
0|0
Man CityManchester City
-
Writing for the BBC, Sutton has predicted Man City to beat Southampton 3-0, stating: “Manchester City have got the FA Cup final to look forward to next weekend but they also have a top-five place to secure, so there is no danger they will not be fully focused on that on Saturday.
“After winning their past four league games, City also have some real momentum for the first time in a long while. You have to go back to August for the last time they managed a run like that.
“So, I can only see one outcome at St Mary’s Stadium, and it is going to leave Southampton stuck on 11 points for at least another week. The only question here really is how many goals City score.”
Man City expect Haaland to return from his injury this weekend, and the Norwegian superstar is one man who will be keen to run up the scoreline, as the 24-year-old was the difference the last time the two sides met.
- READ MORE: Tim Sherwood shares why Erling Haaland’s return for Man City may be a problem for Pep Guardiola
Man City’s record against Southampton under Pep Guardiola
Guardiola has an impressive record against Southampton since arriving in England in 2016, as the Spanish coach has played the Saints 18 times, winning 13, drawing three, and losing just twice.
Back in October, Man City only narrowly beat Southampton 1-0 thanks to a Haaland goal, but Saturday’s game is not expected to be as close between the two English top-flight sides.
Three points will be huge for Man City this weekend, and it will be the perfect way for the Manchester club to prepare for the FA Cup final next weekend against Crystal Palace.
