Southampton have discovered the harsh realities of Premier League football and this weekend, it doesn’t get any easier.
Southampton face the daunting trip to Manchester City, arguably the most difficult place to go in the league, with Pep Guardiola’s men unbeaten in their first eight matches.
By contrast, the Saints have collected just a single point and last time out, Russell Martin’s men threw away a two-goal lead against Leicester City to lose 3-2.
It’s placed increasing pressure on Martin, who Southampton have to fork out £12 million to relieve him of his duties, and that is perhaps one reason he’s remaining in a job.
No one is giving the 38-year-old any chance of turning a bleak situation around, and their misery could be exacerbated after this weekend’s daunting test.
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Paul Merson’s score prediction for Man City vs Arsenal
The South Coasters are winless so far this season but Martin’s troops have competed in most games, including against Arsenal.
Cameron Archer gave Southampton a 1-0 lead at the Emirates Stadium before the Gunners upstaged a fightback thanks to goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
Southampton will need to be just as competitive against another title challenger in Man City, however, Paul Merson unsurprisingly gives the visitors no chance and thinks they’ll get ‘destroyed’.
Predicting the Saints to lose 4-0 at the Etihad, Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda: “I mean, what will the result be in this one? You guess! Southampton will try to play all their fancy stuff and in the end they will get shredded to pieces.
“That’s the only outcome, they will get destroyed by Manchester City. I’m going to go for a 4-0 win to City and I’m being kind to Southampton here. Honestly, if Pep Guardiola’s team gn bgvhfcdcfsaq
“Losing against Leicester after going 2-0 would’ve hurt Southampton so bad. No way they’re getting anything from this game at the Etihad. We could be looking at goal difference to determine final standings at both ends of the table. Both City and Southampton need to keep that in mind.”
Southampton can take inspiration from Fulham’s display vs Man City
When Man City are in the groove, they can blow away almost any team in the Premier League, and Southampton have to hope they somehow have an off day this weekend.
In their last two outings in the top flight, Guardiola’s men have edged past Fulham and Wolves by a one-goal margin.
City secured a 3-2 victory over the Cottagers and it took a 95th-minute winner from John Stones to see off the Old Gold last Sunday.
Martin must take encouragement from how Fulham took the game to the champions but must also be wary that opening up, and playing their usual style, could lead to them being trounced.