It’s second versus third as Southampton look to continue their dream run in the Premier League this season when they host a determined Manchester City. Join The Roar from 12:30am (AEDT) for live commentary.
The Saints have remained unbeaten in their last five matches, and the only goal they have conceded in that time was in their most recent fixture against Aston Villa, a game that ended one apiece and a game that Southampton should have won.
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman will be hoping his team can catch league leaders Chelsea, who are unbeaten so far.
The Saints however have their biggest challenge to date in reigning champions Manchester City, and their performance in this fixture will be an indication of whether or not Southampton have what it takes to fight for a Champions League spot, or even a shot at the Premier League title.
Manchester City will travel to St Mary’s Stadium looking to leapfrog Southampton into second place on the table, and lessen the gap to Chelsea.
After an impressive come-from-behind win against Swansea City in their last fixture, City faced German powerhouse Bayern Munich for a thrilling 3-2 win mid-week, a Sergio Agüero hat-trick keeping their Champions League hopes alive.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side will be looking to take that momentum to St Mary’s, and Agüero will be looking to continue his goal-scoring tear – the Argentine is currently the league’s top scorer this season, with 12.
Southampton have caused trouble for every side that they have played so far this season, and this won’t be any different, both teams need the points but the game has all the ingredients for a hard-earned draw.
Prediction
Southampton 2 – Manchester City 2.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE: Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester City (Toure 51', Lampard 80', Clichy 88')
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
The referee blows the final whistle, and this game is over. Manchester City score through Yaya Toure early in the second half before City ended up scoring two more later on through Lampard and Clichy. The last two goals came after Managla got himself sent off after two yellows. City will be forgetting about that controversial decision against Aguero in the first half, as they perform outstandingly in the second half and end up ending the game with nine men after Kompany went off late in the game with an injury. City leap frog Southampton on the table and are now six points behind unbeaten League leaders Chelsea. Thank you for the joining the Roar's live coverage of this entertaining Premier League fixture, the final score is Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester City.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90 + 4' - Tadic is found offside again. City's defence are doing well to trap them almost every time. Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90 + 3' - Tadic has a shot from in front that is parried by Hart, but he was offside anyway. Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90 + 1' - Tadic found offside. Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
There will be five minutes added on. Both teams have used all their subs and City may have to finish the game with nine men. Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester City 90 minutes played
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - Tadic puts in a cross that nearly find the back of the net. Southampton still pressing forward. Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
88' - City find themselves down to only nine men as Kompany comes off injured with cramps. Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
87' - GOAL FOR MANCHESTER CITY Two goals in ten minutes with only ten men, Aguero does well of a counter attack to get the ball to Gael Clichy who scores his first goal for City with a well placed shot into the top corner. Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Southampton are really pressing forward, and have been very vulnerable to the counter attack. Southampton 0 - 2 Manchester City 86 minutes played.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
86' - Wanyama has another go but can't get much power on it and it bounces right to Joe Hart for an easy save. Southampton 0 - 2 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Wanyama with a strike that goes straight to Hart right after an amazing chance for the Saints from a ball across the goal. Southampton 0 - 2 Manchester City 85 minutes played
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
84' - Aguero finds himself one one with the keeper with a world of time but Forster does extremely well to shut him down. Southampton 0 - 2 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Vincent Kompany also received a yellow card for a clumsy and unnecessary foul on Shane Long. Southampton 0 - 2 Manchester City 83 minutes played.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
81' - SUBSTUTITION FOR SOUTHAMPTON Davis is replaced by Mayuka in what must be the last roll of the dice for Koeman. Southampton 0 - 2 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - GOAL - Frank Lampard (Manchester City) Southampton 0 - 2 Manchester City
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - GOAL FOR MANCHESTER CITY Frank Lampard receives a ball from Milner and fires it straight into the bottom corner of the net. Gives Forster no chance and a ten man City squad shake Southampton.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
City have all ten men back looking to defend their one goal lead. Southampton 0 - 1 Manchester City 79 minutes played.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Southampton a goal down, really need to look to capitalise on the extra man advantage and look to work City a lot more than they are now, with only just over ten minutes to go in normal time. Southampton 0 - 1 Manchester City 78 minutes played.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
77' - Fernandinho receives a ball from Aguero but is shot hits the side netting. Southampton 0 - 1 Manchester City