Prediction and odds: Southampton (14/1) vs Manchester City (1/5)

We’re backing Draw/Man City (HT/FT) at 3/1

When: Wednesday, 11th January 2023 – 8pm KO (GMT)

Where: St. Mary’s Stadium

Southampton will play host to Manchester City this week as the two battle it out for a place in the League Cup semi-finals.

Southampton

Southampton fans have enjoyed a long stint back in the big time of English football but this season, things are looking a little bit suspicious. After a managerial change in the midst of the winter break, they now find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. So, then, it makes all the sense in the world for them to give everything to the League Cup in the name of securing a surprise Wembley trip.

Back in August, Southampton made the trip to Cambridge United and quickly saw off their lower league opponents with a resounding 3-0 victory. They proceeded to welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the south coast and after a gruelling 1-1 draw, they just about made their way through on penalties. Then, in the round of 16, they overcame a quick scare to beat Lincoln City 2-1 and reach the last eight.

Manchester City

Manchester City are easily one of the best clubs in world football right now and that isn’t exactly a shocking statement to make. Pep Guardiola has built a team full of mentality monsters and, in the League Cup, they’ve done a pretty great job of finding consistent success – aside from last season, of course. Now, they’ll get the chance to move one step closer to reclaiming the title they’ve won so often.

City have only had to play two games in the competition in comparison to the Saints’ four, but boy oh boy did they have some bad luck when it came to the draw. They were put up against Chelsea in the third round, winning 2-0, before colliding with Liverpool in the round of 16. In their first encounter since the winter break, City edged out a thoroughly entertaining 3-2 win at the Etihad.

Conclusion

Southampton are going to pour their heart and soul into this fixture and we’re here for it. Sure, the priority is going to be on surviving in the top flight, but this is where we expect things to click into place – in the first half, at least.

Our best guess is that we’ll see a goal apiece to give us a 1-1 scoreline heading into half time. From there, City will slowly start to impose themselves on the game but with Southampton having the crowd behind them, it’ll take some time for Pep’s men to get going.

They eventually will, scoring a late winner as they breathe a sigh of relief following a close call.

Our tips (all taken from bet365): Draw/Man City (HT/FT) at 3/1 + over 2.5 goals at 4/9

[geosnippet id=3620]

If you’re looking at other bookmakers in order to check out alternates for Southampton vs Manchester City go ahead and visit our betting page. Alternatively, see what other big games are on the cards via the soccer predictions page.