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Stadium: St. Mary’s Stadium
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Kick-off: 11:00 PM (IST), Saturday, 9th of February
The reverse fixture of the reigning champions’ opening day fixture of this season sees them travel to Hampshire to take on the fast improving Southampton who seem to have taken quite well to their new manager, Pochettino, in spite of their fondness for departed manager, Nigel Adkins. With 24 points from their 25 games however, they are still only 3 points above the relegation zone, and will take whatever they can get against the visitors.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have taken their foot off the pedal in their pursuit of Manchester United with two draws allowing United to pull clear by a further 4 points in the past couple of weeks, increasing their lead to a formidable 9 points. Thus, Mancini will know that his team can ill afford another slip up, and should have plans in place for the adventurous Southampton side.
Southampton: W D D L D
With just one loss in their last six league games, Southampton have held together their newfound resilience, and can boast of draws against Arsenal, Chelsea, and Everton among those fixtures. Yet, thanks to their miserable defending at the beginning of the season, they are a long way from safety, and will know that Manchester City are not out to them any favours either. What will be of especial concern will be the fact that they have conceded 2 goals in three of their last four fixtures, and are yet to fully repair their defence to hold firm against attacks of decent calibre. Yet, with their opponents having themselves looked vulnerable at the back, especially in the absence of Kompany, there is plenty to hope for, for the Saints.
Manchester City: W W W D D
Manchester City have, as already mentioned, stumbled across some simple hurdles thus far in the season; their 0 – 0 draw against QPR the week before last being a prime example. Thus, it is no wonder that they find themselves 9 points behind Manchester United in the title race. Their cross town rivals have been simply more clinical, while City have found themselves sucked into intriguing challenges, and sometimes lost their way in the process. Against the likes of Southampton, who like to attack quick, City would do well to play as the superior side, and avoid getting involved in a blow-for-blow slug-fest, considering how Soton bring some excellent attacking players into the game, while City come without captain Vincent Kompany.
Southampton: Guly DoPrado, Jose Fonte, Gaston Ramirez, Luke Shaw, Nathaniel Clyne.
Manchester City: Vincent Kompany, Micah Richards.
Rickie Lambert
Being the Premier League’s fifth highest goal scorer is an achievement in itself, which becomes even more impressive when it comes from someone playing for a club under very realistic threat of relegation. Having been instrumental in their back-to-back promotions, Lambert has carried his good form into England‘s top footballing league as well, and is certain to be influential in this game. With some brilliant hold-up play complementing his prowess at finding the back of the net from various situations, Lambert is sure to be a thorn in the side for Manchester City.
Yaya Toure
There is no doubt that Yaya Toure has been sorely missed while on African Cup of Nations duty, with Mancini’s side lacking that driving force behind them when venturing in search of late winners. Thus, his return to the starting line-up is almost a given, and should boost the spirits of his side as an added advantage. On the pitch though, his contribution towards breaking up opposition play could be vital in checking Soton’s counter attacks, while his lanky legs should help him aid his team in some pacy counters of their own.
The most entertaining game of the weekend. Even though Manchester United play Everton, with a point to prove, if the reverse fixture of this encounter is anything to go by, this is the game to watch out for this weekend. A 2 – 1 lead for Soton, coming from 1 – 0 down was overturned late in the game by City to run out 3 – 2 winners, and in quite thrilling fashion. Thus, for the neutral a game, which promises plenty of goals for either side, and some skillful players to boot.
