Southampton vs Manchester City Prediction & Betting Tips - Carabao Cup

Prediction published on 08/01/2023, 12:01  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 08/01/2023 at 13:02 in Carabao Cup Predictions

Southampton bid to cause a major shock when hosting Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter finals. The home side had a welcome 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Saturday but you can bet they'd prefer three league points. Southampton are bottom of the Premier League with six straight defeats. Their only wins since October have come in cup competitions but this looks too tough a task for them. The hope Southampton will have is the cup successes might build up some confidence and see them start to improve in the Premier League. So far in this season's Carabao Cup, Southampton have had wins over three clubs from lower leagues. Victories have come at Cambridge United and home wins over Sheffield Wednesday (needing a penalty shootout) and Lincoln City after going behind after just two minutes. Home form over 90 minutes has seen the Saints win just one of their last eight league and cup games. Earlier this season they lost 4-0 at Manchester City.

Manchester City have won the Carabao Cup four times in the past five seasons. They are second in the Premier League and head into this game having lost just one of their last 12 games in all competitions with four wins in the last five. City will of course field a weakened line-up but they have such a strong squad it doesn't make a great deal of difference. They could even leave Erling Haaland on the bench against Chelsea in Sunday's FA Cup tie and still get a comfortable victory. City keep on getting tough draws in cup competitions this season. The last round of the Carabao Cup saw them beat Liverpool 3-2 at home. Before that they'd beaten Chelsea 2-0. Not since 2016 have City lost an away Carabao Cup away game in 90 minutes.  Another away win is on the cards here.