EPL: Southampton v Man City preview

Southampton v Man City preview

Manchester City will look to sign off their Premier League-winning campaign by hitting the 100-point mark when they travel to Southampton.

Pep Guardiola's side broke the record for the most points won by the Premier League champions when they beat Brighton 3-1 on Wednesday evening, moving onto 97 points and surpassing Chelsea's 95 point haul from the 2004/05 season.

A win against the Saints would see them hit the century, and become the first side to do so in England's top flight and City's tumbling records have helped the team to keep focus, according to Guardiola.

 

He said: "We will try to win the game. That is not in doubt. We have done that all season. In the last few weeks these numbers have helped us keep focus.

 

"There are many [special moments this season]. The 18 games won in a row is the reason we have won the league. That was the key point of the season."

It is a contrasting story for Southampton, who are still mathematically in danger of relegation, although they are three points ahead of Swansea in 18th place.

They also have a nine-goal advantage on goal difference, and would need a 10-goal swing, a loss to City plus a Swansea win against already-relegated Stoke to see them drop into the Championship.

 

Top scorer Sergio Aguero is Manchester City's only major absentee. The Argentina striker, who has scored 30 goals this term, has missed the last month of the campaign with a knee injury.

Guardiola may make some changes having handed rare starts to Claudio Bravo, Yaya Toure and Danilo in Wednesday's clash against Brighton.

 

Mario Lemina faces a late fitness test ahead for Southampton. The former Juventus midfielder is battling a hamstring complaint, and is yet to train this week.

Jan Bednarek will miss out due to a head injury as Southampton look to confirm their top-flight status.