Southampton v Man City Tips: Pep’s men to bounce back from blip?

There hasn’t been much festive cheer for Manchester City fans. Their nightmare before Christmas against Crystal Palace was followed a 2-1 knockout blow from Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Pep Guardiola and co. will be looking to get their title challenge back on track against a Southampton side they mauled 6-1 last month. But Saints seem to be improving under new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Ahead of kick off, we’ve got the info and odds for you…

Match odds

The Citizens have enjoyed head-to-head dominance in this fixture, winning the last four meetings. And in a hectic period of games, they also have the advantage of an extra day’s rest ahead of this clash.

With that in mind, the visitors should edge this. It’s 3/10 for a City victory. Meanwhile, you can grab the Draw at 17/4, with a chunky 9/1 for Saints to win it.

Five of the hosts’ last six games have seen both sides net, and another round of Both Teams to Score is 17/20.

After two 2-1 wins in their last seven games, City are 15/2 to repeat the feat at St Mary’s.

Talking Tactics

Despite the recent dip, Guardiola is unlikely to jettison his beloved 4-3-3 system. There’s one enforced change, with Fabian Delph’s reckless red at Leicester meaning Oleksandr Zinchenko will return at left-back.

Up front, it could be the same trio of Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling, who all started in the East Midlands.

The early signs under Hasenhuttl are that Saints are now a 3-4-2-1 outfit. But the personnel could be switched up a fair bit following Thursday’s 2-1 loss to West Ham United.

Mario Lemina was dismal against the Irons, and could lose his midfield spot to James Ward-Prowse. A few others may be rested, but expect the in-form Danny Ings to keep his place up top.

Goalscorer odds

Despite a modest four goals in 10 meetings with the Saints, Aguero still leads the Anytime Goalscorer market at 4/5.

Following a brace in the last clash between the sides, we go 23/20 for Sterling to register Anytime, while 7/2 says he chalks up Two or More Goals.

For the hosts, Ings is 23/10 to add to his recent tally of four goals in five games. And Nathan Redmond – who struck the solitary goal against West Ham – is 5/1 to score again here.

Match Info                                                                       

Where: St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton

When: 2:15pm

How to watch: Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event

Click here for the latest Southampton v Man City odds.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing