FA Cup quarter-final: Saints to provide tough test for Man City

Manchester City will put their Premier League title ambitions on hold this weekend when they face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals. 

City need to bounce back

Pep Guardiola has created a winning machine at Manchester City and Sunday’s showdown with Southampton will be a test of his team’s ability to bounce back from a rare stumble. City’s failure to beat Crystal Palace on Monday night allowed Liverpool to close the gap at the summit of the Premier League to one point, with the title race now on a knife-edge as the top two prepare to do battle next month.

For now, all eyes are on the FA Cup and Guardiola will want to see a response from his side after the disappointment at Selhurst Park. In fairness to City, there was not much wrong with their performance in south London. They created more than enough chances to win the game and kept their 21st clean sheet of the campaign in all competitions.

There is reason to believe City will also shut Southampton out this weekend. After dropping points at Palace, Guardiola’s side will be even more keen than usual to manage the game with possession. Our traders price an away win to nil at a tempting price of 2.14.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be looking for a response from his players after the goalless draw at Crystal Palace

Pressure off Saints but tough game awaits

The pressure is off Southampton in this one. Virtually any team in Europe that faces Manchester City are the underdogs, and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have played that role well this term. They are one of only three English teams to have avoided defeat by City twice in 2021/22, alongside Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. They held the champions to a scoreless stalemate at the Etihad Stadium, then drew 1-1 back at St Mary’s.

Southampton are a well-coached team with a coordinated pressing game that has disrupted City in the past. They will not have too much possession on Sunday, but that is not necessarily an issue. Hasenhuttl will instruct his players to push high up the pitch from the first whistle.

It might take City a little while to adjust. At Palace on Monday they gave away a few sloppy turnovers in the first half before tightening up after the break. Something similar could occur here, which is why a draw at half-time looks appealing at 2.64.

Mahrez the dangerman

Riyad Mahrez has been City’s main dangerman in recent months: in his last 15 club appearances, the Algeria international has found the net 13 times. Defenders might know that he likes to cut inside onto his right foot, but stopping him doing so is an altogether tougher task.

Southampton have been rotating between Kyle Walker-Peters and Romain Perraud at left-back in recent weeks, and Mahrez will cause problems for whichever of the two starts. At 2.08 is he is good value to score anytime.

Recommended bets

Draw at half-time @ 2.64

City to nil @ 2.14

Mahrez anytime @ 2.08