t looks to be pride more than anything left to play for for Manchester City

in this clash against European football hopefuls Southampton at St Marys.

City have a third-place battle to contest with Arsenal in the league but it
would be fair to say that the majority around the club are looking more
towards next weeks second leg fixture in the Champions League.

The Saints also have their sights set on European competition but they are
looking towards next season, still needing to secure a qualification
position in 2015-16. With complications arising from the winners of cup
competitions managing to take up a second qualification position due to
their league finish, it is possible that up to seventh position would be
enough for the South Coast club to earn itself a spot.
Key Battle Shane Long vs City central defensive pairing
Shane Long has been in near career-best form in recent weeks and has
featured as a key part of Ronald Koemans attacking unit. The Republic of
Ireland international has scored twice in his past three matches and
assisted four goals in his last four. Showing expertly timed bursts of pace
and superb close control on many occasions over the past few games,
confidence will be high. Having been utilised more often as a winger under
Koeman, Long has operated as an out and out striker in the past few
games and would surely continue.

With the cycle of Premier League and Champions League football, it is a

little unclear who will be starting as the central defenders for the Citizens.
Club captain Vincent Kompany and Nicols Otamendi started the game
midweek against Real Madrid and would seem Manuel Pellegrinis first
choice pairing. Perhaps then those two will be rested and Eliaquim
Mangala and Martin Demichelis will be the starting centre-backs but
maybe this will be too risky of a move given the speed of the opposition
up front.
Team News
Koeman has a full complement going into this game though striker Charlie
Austin may not yet be fit to return.
Pellegrini has most of his squad to pick from too. David Silva and Yaya
Toure could miss through injury but aside from that, any omissions are
more likely to be based around conserving them for the second leg of the
semi-final clash with Real.

Head-to-Head
It is Manchesters blue half that just holds the balance of history having
won 22 of the 60 previous meetings between the clubs versus the Saints
21, with 17 ending as draws.
Previous Meeting
The last matchup between these two sides came back in November at the
Etihad, with City winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Fabian
Delph and Aleksandar Kolarov. Long grabbed the goal for the visiting side.
Prediction
With the Manchester clubs focus more on the second leg match against
Madrid in the UCL, City may not give this match quite the attention it
deserves. The St Marys team on the other hand will be giving things
its full dedication as it still has plenty left to play for in the league.
Ultimately though, such is the class and form of City, they will still manage
a few goals in this one and the points could well be split.

Southampton 2 Manchester City 2