Man City to continue surge towards Premier League title

Premier League odds-on favourites Manchester City (5/6) have lost just one of their 14 Premier Legaue matches at the Etihad this season and, with no draws, put you money on a home victory at 1/3 against Southampton.

The 2012 league champions are desperate to reclaim the title from city neighbours Manchester United, and are in a great position with just eight games left of the campaign. They are currently four points behind table toppers Liverpool (13/8), but crucially have two games in hand, and it seems the visit to Anfield in their next fixture may be the clincher.

In the meantime, however, City host a somewhat inconsistent Southampton, who are in Premier League purgatory at present with virtually nothing to play for this season anymore. With their top 10 status all but ensured – they are 11 points clear of 11th-placed West Ham – as Coral have stopped taking bets on the outcome, it seems a tussle with Newcastle United for the 8/9th spot is all they can achieve.

Surprisingly, considering the present standings, Southampton historically boast a winning record against their opponents – including five in their last 10 in the league. This will be a landmark 75th fixture between the two sides in all competitions, and the Saints have been victors 30 times, compared with City’s 24.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are 8/1 to win this time around, however, for the first time away to City since 2004, when a James Beattie opener and Kevin Phillips double helped them to a 3-1 victory. Odds of 90/1 say they can achieve that unlikely scoreline again.

Both sides have a player who has netted twice in three Premier League games against their opponent – Edin Dzeko for the Sky Blues and midfielder Steve Davis for the Saints. The duo can be backed at 8/11 and 8/1 respectively to get a goal anytime.

City will welcome the news that their top-scorer Sergio Aguero could feature, after recovering from a hamstring injury, but is likely to start from the bench. He is odds-on at 8/11 to make a goal on his return, for the first time since his last match at the end of January.

Jay Rodriguez, meanwhile, is the league’s joint second-top English scorer on 15, with Wayne Rooney – behind Daniel Sturridge (20) – and is 10/3 to find the net at anytime.