Preview
Pochettino v Pellegrini; Saints v Citizens. The title chase is well and truly on.
Manchester City will be hoping to turn Saints into sinners on Saturday as they travel to Southampton for their second away fixture in four days.
The blues narrowly conquered a resilient West Brom side on Wednesday and reinforced their title hopes with a 3-2 win courtesy of Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure. The scoreline may suggest City's difficulties on the road are still very much alive, but an irresistible first half display seemed to rid Pellegrini's men of their problematic homesickness.
The Chilean has guided his side to four consecutive victories and Arsenal's convincing lead at the top is beginning to shrink as the blues continue to sink their teeth into inferior opposition. Samir Nasri's mouthwatering form has introduced an unfamiliar tika-taka style to City's play and the power of Yaya Toure combined with the composure of Fernandinho has rendered the midfield majestic beyond pundit explanation.
Sergio Aguero bolstered his magnificent goalscoring record with his 11th league goal of the season in midweek, but Luis Suarez's four goals on Wednesday night left the Argentine with a significant amount of work to do. Fortunately, Southampton's impressive defensive record looks to be crumbling.
Sergio Aguero has scored an impressive 11 league goals this season.
Mauricio Pochettino's high flying Saints have suffered a recent dip in form after losing to both Chelsea and Aston Villa in their last two fixtures. The Argentine's side could face City without Jose Fonte, Victor Wanyama, Nathaniel Clyne, Gaston Ramirez and Artur Boruc on Saturday as Southampton's injury list gruesomely grows. A blistering start to the season had many tipping the southerners for a European spot, but recent injury trouble has seen Pochettino's side slip into 8th place.
However, the Saints have lost only one home fixture this season and still remain a tough side to conquer at St.Marys. Pellegrini's men may have dismantled West Brom in the first half of Wednesday's game, but defensive lapses typical of City's season on the road so far emerged as the game progressed.
Manchester City have not beaten Southampton on away ground since 2003 and suffered an unpalatable 3-1 loss last season in which Gareth Barry scored a horror own goal. The blues' next two fixtures will ultimately shape their title push and Manuel Pellegrini will have to maintain his sides recent form if City are to achieve a crucial victory on Saturday.
2-2
Line-Up
Southampton may be without a number of key first team players, but the threat of Adam Lallana and James Ward-Prowse still exists. Manuel Pellegrini may be tempted into bolstering the midfield with the industrious presence of James Milner, but leaving out either Sergio Aguero or Alvaro Negredo seems an unfathomable thought.
James Milner may be drafted in to bolster the midfield on Saturday.
Vincent Kompany's return added a necessary solidity to City's defence on Wednesday and the Belgian will almost certainly captain the side this weekend once again. Meanwhile, Martin Demichelis's shaky performance may see Joleon Lescott line up beside his 2011/2012 title winning partner.
Key Players
Fernandinho
If City are to win the game on Saturday, they'll need to conquer the midfield and Fernandinho will need to maintain his recent form. The Brazilian has been a silent success since his arrival in summer and his calm composure in the middle has seen Yaya Toure flourish in a more attacking role. Interceptions, tackles and splitting through balls have been characteristic of the £30m man's play and his influence will be essential on Saturday.
Adam Lallana
The Englishman's performances this season have not gone unnoticed by Roy Hodgson and he'll be disappointed not to board the plane in June 2014 to Brazil. His flair and creativity has scared the life out of defenders this year and he'll cause City problems if he continues his form at the weekend.
