Southampton vs Manchester City: Premier League match preview

A tale of two in-form strikers sees Sergio Aguero’s Manchester City travel to the South Coast as they take on Graziano Pelle’s Southampton.

Aguero looks set to make his 100th appearance for the Manchester outfit with his side seeking a third straight victory in all competitions following the Argentine’s hat-trick to overcome Bayern Munich in midweek.

Pelle currently has half the amount of Aguero’s goals in the league with six; yet his side sit two points above City in the Premier League table. Southampton are five games unbeaten in the league but know if they lose to City they will be leapfrogged into second place.

This is the first big test for Ronald Koeman’s side in a spell of three tough upcoming games; after Sunday they face Arsenal away and Manchester United at home.

Even at this early stage in the season, both teams know a win is vital if they want to continue the chase on leaders Chelsea.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 1.30pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Man City 4 (Toure, Dzeko, Nasri, Jovetic) Southampton 1 (Lambert), Premier League, April 2013

Southampton 1 (Osvaldo) Man City 1 (Aguero), Premier League, December 2013

Southampton 3 (Puncheon, Davis, Barry (og)) Man City 1 (Dzeko), Premier League, February 2013

STATS…

Head to head record: 30 Southampton wins, 26 Man City wins, 24 draws.

There have been at least two goals scored in each of the last six meetings between the sides.

Southampton have scored in each of their last six games, amassing a total of 16 goals.

Man City have only kept three clean sheets in their opening 12 Premier League games.

ODDS…

Southampton to win: 3.3

Man City to win: 2.36

Draw: 3.55

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 1.30pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm.