Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Manchester City

Published on: 28/04/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Manchester City

May 01 , 2016 16:30pm - St. Mary`s Stadium

Premier League

Southampton will try to keep their feint hopes of European qualification alive when they welcome Champions League semi-finalists Manchester City to St. Mary`s Stadium on Sunday.

Saints looking for strong finish

With five points still separating Southampton from a Europa League qualifying spot and with the South Coast side having played one more match than their direct rivals, the dream of a fifth-place finish seems to be fading for the Saints. However, Coach Ronald Koeman will keep pushing his team all the way to as they attempt to finish as high up the table as possible.

Koeman`s men have lost just one of their last seven matches, having won four and drawn the other three. On home soil, they have own six of their last eight but have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four. In their last outing, they cruised to a 4-2 win away to bottom club Aston Villa.

Man City still need to confirm Euro berth for next term

Despite making it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Manchester City`s involvement in next year`s edition of the tournament has yet to be confirmed. Manuel Pellegrini`s men are level on points with fourth-ranked Arsenal and just five points ahead of their city neighbours Manchester United, who also have game in hand. Any slip-up from City could hand the advantage to their rivals over the course of the last three games.

The Sky Blues are unbeaten in five matches, having won four and drawn the other, and come into this game on the back of a 4-0 win over Stoke City. Away from home, they are unbeaten in four but were held 1-1 by Newcastle last time out.

Team news

Charlie Austin and Florin Gardos are out of action for the home side. Meanwhile, city will have to cope without the services of Yaya Toure, Fernando and Samir Nasri.

Recent form (League)

Southampton: WDWLW

Manchester City: WDWWW

Betting odds and tips

Southampton are strong at home having recently put some big names to the sword including Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham United. City have won just two of their last five away from home and could find it tough going at St. Mary`s following their mid-week exploits.

You can back the Draw at 12/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 28/04/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (28/04/2016 14:46:43) but are subject to change.