Manchester City cannot afford to look past Southampton this weekend | OneFootball

After a nine-match unbeaten run, Manchester City now have Champions League qualification in their hands. They also have the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on the horizon to look forward to. There is also the FIFA Club World Cup in June for Pep Guardiola’s side to plan and prepare for. But up next for Manchester City is a Premier League fixture against Southampton at the St. Mary’s Stadium. That is all that matters for the world champions, despite everything else that looms on the horizon.

Manchester City must beat Southampton to keep their momentum going.

As mentioned above, Pep Guardiola’s side enters Saturday’s match off the back of a nine-game unbeaten run. Although they haven’t played their typical free-flowing football, Pep Guardiola’s side has controlled games and played in the stable manner that is associated with a Pep Guardiola team. This style of play has helped them turn their season around, so to speak. Now they’ll carry this momentum into Saturday’s clash with Southampton, and they must keep it going to maintain control of their Champions League destiny for next season.

To say Southampton have struggled this season would be an understatement. They are already relegated, and this season has been a mighty struggle for them. A look at the Premier League table highlights how poor they’ve been this season. After 35 games, the Saints have only picked up 11 points. They have only won 2 games this season. But they’ll be determined to pick up a scalp before returning to the Championship. On paper, Saturday’s match appears to be a mismatch. But no game is a formality, and Manchester City must be at their best on Saturday to pick up a precious three points.

Pep Guardiola’s side could pay if they look past Southampton.

With so much to look forward to, Manchester City could look past this weekend’s match at St. Mary’s. But they cannot afford to. A draw or defeat to Southampton could be a blow to City’s Champions League hopes. So they must go to St. Mary’s win, and leave. That way, they can enter the FA Cup final with momentum and confidence.

Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb have returned to training ahead of this weekend’s match. So the good news continues to come for Manchester City. If they can pick up a victory against Southampton they’ll pick up a massive three points and momentum will continue. But to do that Pep Guardiola’s side cannot overlook Southampton. It’s as simple as that despite Southampton’s lowly league position and poor form throughout the 24/25 season.