Manchester City Form
Manchester City have done in the Premier League what many considered almost impossible based on this season, but not based on their own experience – they have caught up with Arsenal and even moved ahead. The hosts still have a game in hand, regardless of the fact Arsenal have yet to play their match in round 34. Among a run of five victories in English competitions is a head-to-head win over Arsenal (2:1). In the last two rounds of the FA Cup, the team have faced Premier League opponents, but even Liverpool's status as champions and Newcastle United's as the then holders of the League Cup did not cause them problems.
Key numbers for Manchester City:
Manchester City are unbeaten in domestic competitions for 16 matches, since 17 January, when they lost the Manchester derby.
In the previous four rounds they have won by a margin of at least two goals.
The team have played in the FA Cup final three years in a row.
In their last five matches Manchester City have conceded only one goal.
Potential Manchester City Lineup (4-2-3-1): James Trafford — Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly — Nico Gonzalez, Bernardo Silva — Savinho, Tijjani Reijnders, Antoine Semenyo — Omar Marmoush
Unavailable: Rodri, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol (all injured)
Southampton Form
Southampton suffered a miserable relegation from the Premier League last season. Now, however, the team are being talked about in entirely positive terms. The visitors unexpectedly found themselves near the bottom of the Championship table in the opening months of this season, but a change of head coach transformed the squad. Former member of Will Still's coaching staff Tonda Eckert took over at the start of November, when the side were 18th, and now the team are fourth, three points away from an automatic promotion place back to the Premier League. They are unbeaten in 20 matches in all competitions since 17 January.
Key numbers for Southampton:
Under Tonda Eckert as head coach, Southampton have won 19 of 30 matches, an average of 2.13 points per game.
In the match against Arsenal, Daniel Peretz made six saves.
The team have scored at least two goals in each of their last seven matches in all competitions.
All four of their ties in the 2025/26 FA Cup have been won by a one-goal margin.
Potential Southampton Lineup (4-2-3-1): Daniel Peretz — James Bree, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood, Ryan Manning — Cam Bragg, Caspar Jander — Kuryu Matsuki, Finn Azaz, Leo Scienza — Ross Stewart
Unavailable: Alex McCarthy, Mads Roerslev (both injured)
