Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium has been a graveyard of visiting teams almost all through the season. Only Chelsea have managed to emerge victorious from City’s fortress. Almost all other teams were virtually mauled. When they welcome Southampton on this weekend, Manchester City will want to be in their all-conquering form at home. Never before in this season, they wanted a win as badly as they do now.

But Southampton are a tough nut to crack. The team has stood up to the big teams and looked them straight in the eye. They have been the only team to have beaten Liverpool at Anfield in this season. Can they do the same to City? Liverpool and Chelsea fans will never forget such a favour.

This match is of great importance to the EPL title race. City, with 67 points, is third. Liverpool, with 71 points, and Chelsea, with 69 points, are ahead of them. But City has played two games fewer. Their two-match advantage will be considerably reduced if they cannot win this tie.

Southampton have produced some plucky performances time and again. But they have been inconsistent.

City have a plethora of stars who can simply walk into any team in the league. Two of them, Sergio Agüero and David Silva, are doubtful starters. Still, they would expect Edin Dzeko and Yaya Touré to do the job.

Southampton’s chances of glory depend on the performances of Jay Rodriguez, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana. If the trio clicks, Manchester City’s title hopes will be hit.

Manchester City-Southampton Prediction

City are the firm favourites to win this match. They have been awesome at home most of the time. A Southampton win, or even a draw, will be a stop-the-press news item.

Manchester City 1.33 @ Bet365

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