Can Southampton Sustain Their Superb Start Against City?

Southampton have everything to prove as they host Premier League champions Manchester City this afternoon (30th November, 13:30). The surprise packages of the season so far, the second-placed Saints will be looking to close the gap on unbeaten Chelsea who could only secure a draw against Sunderland in their match-up yesterday.

Whilst it could be argued the visitors haven`t been at their very best so far this season having already dropped seven points away from home, City will still prove to be tough opposition for Ronald Koeman`s men. The Sky Blues are just a meagre two points behind the Hampshire club and will be able to overtake their hosts with a win.

The St. Marys outfit managed to pick up all available points in their last four matches before drawing away at Aston Villa last time out. They had also secured their progression through to the fifth round of the League Cup. Despite their woeful form, Villa took the lead against their opponents half an hour through the clash and looked good for the points until full-back Nathaniel Clyne struck nine minutes from time.

Koeman`s men`s winning streak began back in October with their 8-0 humiliation of Sunderland. All of Graziano Pelle, Jack Cork, Dustan Tadic and Victor Wanayama found their names on the scoresheet in the St. Mary`s fixture. Another home clash followed, this time against Stoke, the win coming when Sadio Mane found the back of the net in the 33rd minute.

One goal also separated Southampton and Hull at the Tigers` KC Stadium. Wanayama`s 30-yard strike proved the difference with the game only minutes old. The club`s final victory of their run came at home to Leicester City though the team had to wait 75 minutes until the deadlock was broken. Shane Long grabbed two goals in the space of five minutes to snatch the three points off of the Premier League new-boys.

The Saints` have scored in all but two of their matches in all competitions this season. They can be backed at 1/3 with betfred to score at any time tomorrow. Six to four (Coral) says they can score two or more. Despite kicking off their November with a 1-0 win over their arch rivals Manchester United, City haven`t had it all their own way this month.

This win was followed by a defeat against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, Yaya Toure grabbing the only goal for the Blues in the 2-1 upset, and a 2-2 against strugglers Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League. Scorer against Manchester United Sergio Aguero made it three in as many games after grabbing a brace against Harry Redknapp`s side.

Pellegrini`s reigning champions got back to winning ways following the international break, though Swansea were valiant in defeat. Wilfried Bony opened the scoring for the Welsh side in the ninth minute before Stefan Jovetic equalised in the first half and Toure hit the winner in the second 45.

Aguero was once against prolific in front of goal against Pep Guardiola`s German titans, Bayern Munich. The Argentinean earned himself a hat-trick as his side came from 2-1 behind to snatch a 3-2 victory with only minutes left on the clock.

Such a result gives today`s away club confidence and can be backed at 29/20 (Betvictor, Titanbet) to beat high-flying Southampton. A home win is available at 11/5 (betfred, Totesport) whilst it is 5/2 (Numerous) on the game ending a draw.

City will be able to make use of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho once again after the pair were suspended for the Munich clash. Neither Edin Dzeko nor Aleksander Kolarov will be available after picking up calf injuries. David Silva is also out with a knee complaint.

Steven Davies` hamstring is the only concern for Koeman as he looks to have a fully-fit squad ahead of what could be a pivotal match in their season.

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30/11/2014     © Frixo 2024