Southampton v Man City: Can the Saints march to victory over the champions?
The champions had to come from behind at the Etihad to beat the Saints on the opening day of the season but did you know that Southampton come out on top against Man City in head-to-heads?
The Saints have marched off with 25 league wins compared to City's 23, but you'd expect Mancini's men to inch closer to parity this afternoon when they clash at St Mary's.
Manchester City start the weekend nine points behind their deadly rivals United but they can put the pressure on Fergie's men with victory in today's late kick-off.
Southampton's only league defeat since Christmas came away at Old Trafford in a game where Sir Alex was crowing about the Saints' performance. Pochettino has taken over from Nigel Adkins and recorded two draws against Everton and Wigan. It may not have set the world on fire but those two points could be crucial come the end of the season.
Back-to-back draws for City though have seen them lose ground in the title race. The crown is gradually slipping through their fingers as no-one can see United falling apart like they did last season, but you just never know and City must not gave up the chase.
The visitors will be buoyed by the return of the Toure brothers and captain Vincent Kompany may also make a return. City start the game as favourites but you never can tell what is going to happen on the south coast.
Southampton v Man City; Kick Off 5.30pm February 9 2013
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Josh Ben Moshe |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Chelsea |
Apoorva Ankur |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
4 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Man United |
Peter Johnstone |
1 |
V |
4 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Stoke City |
Peter Holland |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Spurs |
Adam Crawford |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
0 |
V |
4 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
1 |
V |
2 |
Panel Verdict
Away win.
Home: 1; Draw: 3; Away: 27. TBA 3.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
