Southampton vs Manchester City. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance31,472.
Sunday 1 May 2016 16:28, UK
Manchester City will be without playmaker David Silva for the next two to three weeks with the hamstring injury as they look to continue their quest for a top-four place and with this season's Champions League hopes in the balance against Real Madrid.
City will have one eye on Wednesday's semi-final second leg against Real at the Bernabeu having been held to a goalless draw at Etihad Stadium.
But the league is the best way for them to guarantee a seat at Europe's top table next year and will hope to come away with a confidence boosting win on the south coast, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 3.30pm.
Theoretically, Southampton could finish eighth and qualify for the Europa League but that depends on a host of factors going their way. Five points separate fifth and eighth and there is all to play for.
Team news
Charlie Austin has recovered from his knee injury and will be available for Southampton.
Florin Gardos has finally recovered from his long-term knee problem but is unlikely to be considered for selection.
Southampton have no fresh injury concerns ahead of hosting City at St Mary's, giving Ronald Koeman plenty of options.
Silva's hamstring injury rules the Spaniard out of the trip to the south coast, as well as next Wednesday's semi-final second leg against Real at the Bernabeu.
Midfielder Yaya Toure is back in training after a thigh injury but is not expected to feature this weekend while forward Samir Nasri has recovered from a muscle problem and will be in the squad at St Mary's.
Opta stats
Southampton have won just one of their last nine Premier League games versus Manchester City (drawn two, lost six).
Raheem Sterling has had a hand in five goals in his last four Premier League matches against Southampton (three goals, two assists).
Joe Hart could make his 300th Premier League appearance in this match and would be the sixth English goalkeeper to reach this landmark in the competition.
Sergio Aguero has scored in each of his last five Premier League appearances, but has never scored in six in a row in the competition.
Southampton have fired in the most open play crosses in the Premier League this season (654) and have scored the most headed goals (14).
Virgil van Dijk has won 74 per cent of his 206 aerial duels in the Premier League this season; the highest ratio of any player to have been involved in 100+ aerials.
This is now Shane Long's best goalscoring season in the Premier League (nine goals) and the Irish striker has had a hand in eight goals in his last eight league appearances (four goals, four assists).
Sadio Mane has scored four goals in his last five Premier League games for Southampton; this after a run of 19 league apps without scoring.
Man City have conceded a goal every 78 minutes without Vincent Kompany on the pitch this season, compared to a goal conceded every 180 minutes when he has been on the pitch (including injury time).
Kevin De Bruyne has created the most goalscoring chances for Man City this season in the Premier League (71) despite appearing in only 23 of their 35 games.
Merson's predictions
It's a dodgy game for Manchester City this. They are fighting to get into the Champions League and have a big game next week against Real Madrid. Southampton are a good team and this game could open the top-four race right back up.
I like Southampton, Manchester City will have to rest players and take a chance, and they're not playing Stoke. Southampton have to score first but if they do they could go on and win the game.
Paul predicts: Southampton 1-1 Man City
Betting
With Manchester City most likely to be concentrating on their huge Champions League clash with Real Madrid, Southampton been made marginal favourites by Sky Bet at 6/4 to beat City, with the away side priced up at 17/10 to claim victory. With five goals in his last three league games Sergio Aguero is 7/2 to score the first goal with Graziano Pelle Price Boosted from 5/1 to 6/1 to net in in a Saints' win. Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicolas as backed Sadio Mane to score the opening goal in a 2-1 win for the hosts' at odds of 50/1.
