Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 9
Manchester City v Southampton
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Saturday, 26 October 2024
Kick-off is at 16h00
Manchester City will be looking to keep the pressure on the
Premier League leaders when they host struggling Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, October 26.
The Citizens made it back-to-back wins as they came from behind to beat Wolves 2-1 at Molineux on October 20 to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Pep Guardiola's side stayed in touch with Liverpool, who recorded a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield later that same day to remain one point clear of the defending champions at the summit.
Arsenal are a further three points adrift in third place after suffering their first defeat of the campaign at the hands of Bournemouth, who ran out 2-0 victors at the Vitality Stadium on October 19.
The Saints continue to find the going tough since being promoted after a 3-2 reverse to Leicester at St Mary's on October 19 left them entrenched in the relegation zone.
It was a third consecutive defeat for Russell Martin's side, who have just one point to show for their efforts after eight matches and find themselves three points shy of safety in 19th position.
Image copyright: Getty Images
In team news, Rodri (knee) and Oscar Bobb remain long-term casualties for the hosts, although Kevin De Bruyne (groin) is in contention to make his comeback and Kyle Walker's fitness is still being assessed. Jack Stephens is available again for the visitors are serving a two-match suspension, but Gavin Bazunu and Ross Stewart (both calf) miss out once more.
Guardiola hailed the dramatic win against the Old Gold as significant to their season as City set a new club record of 31 games unbeaten in the top flight.
"This is not the last fixture of the season but of course it's so important," the Spaniard said. "We are not used to winning that way. Like other teams we have big talent and we don't often win in the last minutes.
"To get the flavour of winning this way is so nice. The impact of the players from the bench [was good] and we were patient. We have to deal with the that way teams defend so deep. Literally 11 players in the box."
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Martin admitted the 73rd-minute dismissal of Ryan Fraser had an impact on the outcome of the game against the Foxes, with the substitute receiving a straight red card just 11 minutes after replacing the injured Yukinari Sugawara.
"It's hard. I think the sending-off changes the game completely, we were so good for the first half an hour - 2-0 up, in the ascendancy, big momentum," he said.
"Their goal came out of nothing, really. They didn't really have a spell before that - frustrating from our point of view and it shouldn't happen. We doubled up and he still gets to the byline and crosses, and someone frees themselves up in the box.
"Obviously at that point the momentum shifts a bit. Yuki is injured, we have to make a substitution that's enforced, which is not ideal, and then Ryan obviously gets sent off, so that changes the game completely.
"I'm furious about that, I'm hurt with that, but I'm not hurt with the fight and the effort that the players gave us. They were brilliant."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City wins - 3
Southampton wins - 0
Draws - 2
Premier League Matchday 9 fixtures:
Friday, October 25
21h00: Leicester City v Nottingham Forest
Saturday, October 26
16h00: Aston Villa v Bournemouth
16h00: Brentford v Ipswich Town
16h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers
16h00: Manchester City v Southampton
18h30: Everton v Fulham
Sunday, October 27
16h00: Chelsea v Newcastle United
16h00: Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
16h00: West Ham United v Manchester United
18h30: Arsenal v Liverpool
Bet on the English Premier League
Sign up at Betway and enjoy solid action and heart-racing thrills when you
bet on soccer leagues such as the
Spanish La Liga, the
English Premier League, the
Italian Serie A and many more
Win big in the Betway casino
Ready to hit the jackpot? Play 777 Super Big Buildup Deluxe now at the Betway casino and spin your way to big winnings, your fortune awaits!
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.