Manchester City vs Southampton: prediction, head-to-head stats and probable lineups — 25.04.2026
One of the FA Cup semifinal clashes will take place this Saturday at the legendary Wembley Stadium in London, as Manchester City face Southampton for a coveted spot in the tournament final. The favorites are clear, but the visitors have already pulled off more than one surprise in this year’s campaign.
Match preview
Manchester City head into the semifinal in outstanding form, having notched five consecutive wins across all competitions. After a Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola’s side quickly regrouped, capturing the League Cup and dispatching Liverpool with authority in the FA Cup (4-0). Last weekend, the Citizens took a significant step toward the Premier League title by defeating Arsenal at home.
The attacking line for City has been nearly flawless: they’ve already netted 19 goals in this FA Cup run. Erling Haaland continues to spearhead the attack, and City’s offensive versatility allows them to dictate the tempo even in the toughest contests. Overall, Man City are unbeaten in domestic competitions for 16 straight matches, with their last loss coming back on January 17 in the Manchester derby.
Southampton are enjoying one of their best spells of the season, riding an impressive 20-game unbeaten streak since January. In the FA Cup, the Saints have already knocked out Fulham (1-0) and Arsenal (2-1), proving they can challenge any opponent on their day.
However, Tonda Eckert’s squad has had to juggle the demands of the cup with their push for promotion in the Championship, adding to their workload. Nevertheless, Southampton have shown composure and resilience against top-tier sides this season, rarely faltering. Under Tonda Eckert’s management, Southampton have won 19 out of 30 matches, averaging 2.13 points per game.
Probable lineups
- Manchester City: Trafford, O’Riley, Guehi, Khusanov, Luis, Gonzalez, Silva, Doku, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland.
- Southampton: Peretz, Bree, Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Manning, Yander, Bragg, Fellows, Azaz, Shinza, Stewart.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Manchester City have won five straight matches in all competitions.
- Southampton are unbeaten in their last 20 matches.
- Six of the last ten head-to-head meetings have seen no more than three goals scored.
Prediction
Southampton are more than capable of putting up a fight and playing disciplined football against the favorites, but City’s class and squad depth should make the difference. Guardiola’s men are in top form and know how to get the job done in cup competitions.
