Manchester City are in fantastic form and aiming for a treble (excluding the Champions League, but including the League Cup). Pep Guardiola's side have won their last five matches in all competitions, including convincing victories over Chelsea (3-0) and Arsenal (2-1), and also lifted the English League Cup. In the FA Cup, City crushed Liverpool (4-0) and is averaging 3.6 goals per game. Championship side Southampton are also impressive: they are unbeaten in 20 matches and have eliminated Fulham and Arsenal. However, the quality of their opponents is incomparable.
The statistics suggest there will be plenty of goals. Four of the last five head-to-head meetings between City and Southampton have seen over 2.5 goals, and the Citizens have won their last 21 FA Cup matches against non-Premier League teams by an aggregate score of 84-11. Meanwhile, the Saints have scored in 16 of their last 17 matches, and their key midfielder Flynn Downs will be suspended, weakening their defensive midfield. Given Haaland's attacking prowess and Foden's passing, as well as City's central defensive woes due to injuries to Guardiola and Diaz, Southampton have a chance to score.
