7M - FA Cup Preview: Manchester City vs Southampton - prediction, team news, lineups

Manchester City welcome Southampton to the Etihad Stadium on April 25, 2026, for an FA Cup showdown where the hosts carry significant momentum and home advantage. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm local time, with both sides navigating a congested fixture calendar.

Manchester City arrive in formidable attacking form, averaging 3.6 goals per game across their last ten matches. The Citizens have netted 36 times while conceding just six, keeping four clean sheets in that span. Their recent Premier League run features three consecutive victories: a 3-0 triumph at Chelsea, a 2-1 win over Arsenal, and a narrow 1-0 success against Burnley. In FA Cup action at neutral venues, City have won five of their last six outings, scoring 28 goals and conceding only four.

Southampton, meanwhile, have shown resilience with two wins and one draw in their last three fixtures across all competitions. The Saints defeated Blackburn 3-0 and Swansea 2-1 before drawing 2-2 with Bristol City. Defensively, they have conceded nine goals in their last ten matches (0.9 per game) while scoring 19 (1.9 per game), recording four clean sheets. In FA Cup away fixtures, Southampton have secured four wins from six trips, drawing once and losing once, with ten goals scored and nine conceded.

Head-to-head history favors Manchester City. The Citizens claimed a commanding 4-1 victory at St. Mary's Stadium in their most recent meeting on March 20, 2022. Both teams have scored in two of the last two encounters, and over 2.5 goals has landed in both of those fixtures.

Attacking threats are clear on both sides. Erling Haaland has netted three goals in his last six FA Cup appearances for City, while Southampton's Ross Stewart has contributed two goals in his last six cup matches. Manchester City have opened the scoring in nine of their last ten home league games, and Southampton have found the first goal in seven of their last ten away outings.

Team news sees Manchester City without midfielder Rodri, who remains sidelined through injury. Pep Guardiola has a otherwise full squad to select from, including options such as Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland in attack. Southampton manager Russell Martin can choose from a broad pool including Ross Stewart, Adam Armstrong, and Flynn Downes.

With fixture congestion testing both squads, rotation and defensive discipline could prove pivotal. Manchester City's superior firepower and home record make them strong favorites, but Southampton's recent away resilience in cup competition suggests they can compete.

Considering form, head-to-head trends and attacking output, a comfortable home victory appears most likely, though Southampton may find the net.

Predicted score: Manchester City 3-1 Southampton