Home of football statistics and historyManchester City are set to take on Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final later tonight, looking to bolster their chances of ending the season with a domestic treble.
Wembley Stadium is set to host this pulsating contest, and while City will go in as overwhelming favourites, Pep Guardiola’s troops can’t afford to underestimate their Championship opposition.
After putting Arsenal to the sword in the previous round, Southampton will fancy their chances of repeating that trick against another Premier League title hopeful.
However, City will see this as a perfect opportunity to book their spot in the showpiece on May 16.
With a place in the final up for grabs, the 2023 FA Cup winners will be determined to set up a date with either Chelsea or Leeds United at the same venue.
Match Preview
City returned to the summit of the Premier League for the first time since August after claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Burnley, which effectively confirmed their swift return to the Championship.
However, the midweek scoreline will feel like a missed opportunity to increase their goal difference, as they now lead Arsenal by the number of goals scored.
Despite firing a staggering 28 shots in Turf Moor, Erling Haaland’s fifth-minute strike proved to be the difference between both teams.
Nevertheless, the result was enough to keep City’s momentum going, with Guardiola’s side now enjoying a five-game winning streak across all competitions.
One of those wins came in the FA Cup, where City dismantled reigning Premier League champions Liverpool, running out 4-0 winners in a one-sided quarter-final affair.
Before annihilating Liverpool, City beat Exeter City, Salford City, and Newcastle United in previous rounds and are now gearing up for a record eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final appearance.
City have won each of their last 21 FA Cup meetings with lower league teams, scoring 84 goals and conceding just 11, so Southampton have their work cut out for them.
However, Southampton will look to exploit City’s woeful record at Wembley under Guardiola. The Spanish tactician has lost six of his seven FA Cup ties at the iconic venue.
That should be enough to fuel the giant killers as they look to add City to their list of casualties.
It’s been half a century since Southampton’s famous FA Cup triumph, so returning to Wembley is an achievement for the history books.
If they somehow pull off a win against City, the Saints will be the first second-tier club to reach the FA Cup final in nearly two decades.
Southampton have steamrolled through Doncaster Rovers, Leicester City, Fulham, and Arsenal to reach this stage. Interestingly, they edged each of them by a single goal.
Under German tactician Tonda Eckert, Southampton have become nearly unstoppable.
The Saints are on a remarkable 20-match unbeaten streak, going from a struggling side to genuine contenders for the Championship play-offs.
City may be overwhelming favourites, but Southampton’s chances of causing yet another upset cannot be swept under the rug.
Team News
Guardiola will not be able to call on Rodri, who suffered a groin injury in City’s crucial 2-1 Premier League victory over Arsenal last weekend.
The Ballon d’Or winner missed the midweek win at Burnley and should also sit this one out. Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are also long-term absentees.
Southampton have a couple of suspensions to deal with in addition to their worrying injury woes.
Flynn Downes should be serving the second of this three-match ban for violent conduct following an incident in Southampton’s 2-1 away victory over Swansea City.
Ryan Manning is also suspended for the semi-final.
Mads Roerslev and Alex McCarthy will also sit out this contest, while skipper Jack Stephens is touch-and-go after picking up a calf injury while warming up for the 2-2 midweek draw against Bristol City.
Manchester City potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): James Trafford; Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Bernardo Silva, Nico O’Reilly; Savinho, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush; Erling Haaland.
Southampton potential starting line-up:
(3-4-2-1): Daniel Peretz; Jack Stephens, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood; James Bree, Caspar Jander, Shea Charles, Welington; Finn Azaz, Leo Scienza; Ross Stewart.
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