English Premier
2012-08-19 - Manchester City vs Southampton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 19 August 2012 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester City
It has to have been an enjoyable Summer for Manchester City fans as they can call themselves the Champions of England for the first time in 44 years, but the lack of investment in the playing staff has annoyed Roberto Mancini and the threat from Old Trafford remains firmly in their minds.
Last season, goal difference proved to be the difference between the Manchester clubs as City scored two goals in injury time against Queens Park Rangers to snatch the title from under the noses of their rivals Manchester United. Now they have Carlos Tevez back in the squad and they have shown they are still the team to beat with a 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield.
They will be looking to replicate their form at the Etihad Stadium where they won 18 of their 19 League games, the exception being a 3-3 draw with Sunderland. City scored 55 goals and conceded 12 in those games, leading the way as the League's highest home scorers and stingiest home defence.
Micah Richards and Gareth Barry are both out, while Joe Hart, Jack Rodwell and Mario Balotelli are all doubts with various ailments.
Southampton
Southampton replicated Norwich City by earning back to back promotions from League One through the Championship and they are once again in the Premier League after an 8 season absence. They do have owners that are willing to invest in the club as the bid for Gaston Ramirez is demonstrating.
The team finished 2nd in the Championship behind Reading last season to earn automatic promotion to the top flight and Nigel Adkins has to be praised for the job he is doing at St Mary's. It is more impressive considering there are rumours that the owners want to replace him as a manager, but he will get his chance in the Premier League.
They finished with a 10-6-7 away from home in the Championship last season, scoring 36 goals and conceding 28, but there are going to be a lot tougher tests on their travels this season.
Jack Cork may be missing this weekend, but the likes of Nathanial Clyne, Jay Rodriguez and Steven Davis will all be looking to be involved having signed over the Summer.
Head to Head
Manchester City beat Southampton 3-1 at home in 2007 in an FA Cup game, but this is the first time they have met in the League since 2005.
City beat Southampton 2-1 that season, but had previously lost 3 in a row at home against them, although it doesn't take a genius to tell you that a LOT has changed in the previous 8 years since they last met in a League game.
Prediction
A lot of people will be expecting Southampton to struggle this season, but this game won't tell us too much about their ambitions as it isn't getting results at places like the Etihad Stadium that will decide their future in this League.
In saying that, Southampton can come here and play their football without any fear and I think that is what is going to be their downfall in this opening fixture.
Nigel Adkins is unlikely to want his side to defend deep and he will look for them to push on and that could play into the hands of Manchester City that have plenty of players that can threaten the goal.
I expect City to win, but the handicaps are about right with only a decent pay out coming if they win by at least 3 goals. Instead, I am going to back the home side to SCORE at least 3 goals in this one.
City scored at least 3 goals in 14 of their 19 home games last season, including against all three teams that had been promoted the season before.
With the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri, I think City will be very dangerous again and I can't see them letting up if they get ahead having won the title on goal difference last season and knowing every goal may count again.
They beat Swansea 4-0 here in their opening game last season and I am going to back City, at decent odds, to get at least 3 in this one.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester City 3-0 Southampton
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Manchester City Over 2.5 Team Goals @ 1.92 (Coral)
