Manchester City and Southampton are set to clash in the first FA Cup semi-final of the season at Wembley on Saturday evening, with kick-off at 5:15 pm. The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Despite only four teams remaining in the competition, winning the FA Cup is not the top priority for either side. City's recent form, combined with Arsenal's slip-ups, has made a ninth Premier League title a realistic target, though a domestic treble remains a possibility after their League Cup victory. For Southampton, this semi-final is a bonus, as their primary goal is securing promotion back to the Premier League following relegation.
Team Form and History
Southampton finished bottom of the Premier League last season with just 12 points and struggled early in the Championship, winning only two of their first 13 games. However, since Tonda Eckert replaced Will Still in November, the team has lost just five of 35 matches. They currently sit fourth in the Championship, three points off automatic promotion, and advanced to the semi-finals after a 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal, with goals from Ross Stewart and Shea Charles.
City have won three of the five FA Cup meetings between the sides, including a 4-1 victory in 2021-22. Southampton's only win came in 1959-60. City have lost 13 of their last 18 encounters but are overwhelming favourites.
Prediction and Betting Tips
City are aiming to become the first team to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals, having won in 2023 but lost in 2024 and 2025. Southampton seek to become the first non-Premier League side in the final since Cardiff City in 2007-08. Our prediction is a City win with both teams scoring, offered at 13/8 with QuinnBet.
Erling Haaland, who scored a hat-trick against Liverpool in the quarter-finals and the winner against Arsenal, has 48 goals this season. He has yet to score in a final but has four goals in five appearances against Southampton. Back him to score two or more at 23/10 with BetVictor.
Team News
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; O'Reilly, Silva; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
Southampton: Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Manning; Jander, Charles; Matsuki, Scienza, Azaz, Stewart.
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