Manchester City vs Southampton FA Cup preview, team news and prediction

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Manchester City and Southampton both recent conquerors of Arsenal meet at Wembley on Saturday evening for an FA Cup semi-final, with a place in the May 16 final against either Chelsea or Leeds United on the line.

City arrive on a high, having climbed back to the top of the Premier League for the first time since August. However, their midweek 1-0 win at Burnley came with a touch of frustration after they managed just one goal from 28 shots and missed the chance to boost their goal difference over Arsenal. Even so, Pep Guardiola’s side are on a five-game winning run in all competitions, which includes a thumping 4-0 quarter-final victory over Liverpool.

After seeing off Exeter, Salford and Newcastle, City are now targeting a record eighth straight FA Cup semi-final and are bidding to become the first club to reach four consecutive finals in the competition. Despite losing the last two showpieces, they have been the FA Cup’s standout side in recent years — recording the most wins, goals and clean sheets since 2016-17 — and have won their last 21 FA Cup matches against non-Premier League opposition.

Southampton, though, can draw encouragement from City’s patchy Wembley record under Guardiola, with six defeats in seven FA Cup ties played there.

The Saints return to the national stadium 50 years after their famous 1976 FA Cup triumph over Manchester United, and they head into this tie dreaming of another giant-killing. Their run to the semis has been built on tight wins, capped by a memorable 2-1 home victory over Arsenal, sealed late on by former City academy man Shea Charles.

Under head coach Tonda Eckert, Southampton have surged into promotion contention, putting together a 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions (16 wins, four draws) before a 2-2 draw with Bristol City in the Championship ended their eight-game winning streak. Now fourth, and transformed from 20th when Eckert took charge, they are balancing a push for the Premier League with the chance to reach an FA Cup final for the first time since 2003.

History is not on their side: Southampton have lost nine of 13 FA Cup semi-finals and have been beaten in eight of 11 matches at Wembley. Their recent record against City is also daunting, with 13 defeats in the last 18 meetings — leaving them needing another standout performance to keep their cup dream alive.

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Man City are waiting on Rodri after the midfielder missed the win at Burnley with a groin injury suffered against Arsenal. Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) and Ruben Dias (ankle) remain out.

If Rodri isn’t fit, Pep Guardiola could stick with Nico O’Reilly alongside Bernardo Silva, with Nico Gonzalez also an option. Guardiola has hinted at changes in attack, with Savinho, Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden pushing to start, while Rayan Cherki may keep his place.

Erling Haaland is expected to lead the line after scoring his 35th goal of the season, though he has yet to score in a City semi-final or final.

Southampton are without Mads Roerslev (Achilles) and Alex McCarthy (wrist), while captain Jack Stephens is a doubt with a calf issue. Nathan Wood could continue alongside Taylor Harwood-Bellis if needed, with Finn Azaz (10 goals, seven assists) set to feature behind a striker battle led by Ross Stewart.

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