Manchester City will continue their push to qualify for the Champions League this weekend, visiting already-relegated Southampton.
Pep Guardiola’s side have rallied back to form of late, returning to third spot after falling to seventh in December. They are unbeaten in the league since March 8, when they were narrowly beaten by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
They have been boosted by the returns of talisman striker Erling Haaland and key midfielder Rodri, who is back in training after an early-season ACL injury left Guardiola scrambling for solutions. Haaland was expected to be absent through to the last week of the season after suffering an ankle injury in March, but was in the squad for last weekend’s win over Wolves.
Last-placed Southampton’s relegation was confirmed after they lost to Tottenham in April, and they are left with one key objective: Beat Derby County’s record-low points tally of 11, set in 2007-08.
They equalled the record with a draw at West Ham, and have three matches remaining to pick up one all-important point, facing Everton and Arsenal after Man City.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Southampton vs Man City is scheduled for a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
The match will take place at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Where to watch Southampton vs Man City
TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10:30pm.
Southampton vs Man City team news
City’s camp has been boosted ahead of the run-in by the returns of Erling Haaland (ankle) and Rodri (ACL), both of whom are back in training after recovering from long-term injuries.
Haaland will be in contention to start against Southampton after being named in the matchday squad last weekend, but Guardiola plans to be more cautious with Rodri, saying last week: “The moment the physio and doctor say that Rodri can start to play minutes, and after that he will start to play minutes.
“But the doctors have to tell me. It was a difficult injury.”
City’s other injuries are longer-term: John Stones (thigh) and Nathan Ake (ankle) both remain sidelined for the foreseeable.
Southampton are luckier – they head into the match with a near-perfect injury record. Previewing the tie, interim manager Simon Rusk said: “As it stands, we have a fairly clean bill of health.”
He added that fan favourite Mateus Fernandes is likely to play a key role, having recovered from a minor issue.
Southampton vs Man City prediction
If Southampton are to pick up the last point they need this season, it is not likely to come from Man City. Guardiola’s side look to be back to their best, enjoying a run of five wins in all competitions with three clean sheets.
The Saints, on the other hand, have been rock bottom in the standings since November and have picked up just two points since Valentine’s Day. The most stark of those results came last time out in a 2-0 defeat at Leicester, also already relegated. With City more motivated than ever, they should not have much trouble at St. Mary’s.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Saints last beat Man City in 2023, pulling off a major upset in the League Cup quarter-finals. In the Premier League, though, City have lost to Southampton just twice since 2013.
Southampton vs Man City match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
