Southampton v Manchester City: Grealish the key at 11/4 as City continue title challenge

• Grealish has been on fire in 2023

• Recent south coast struggles offer slim hope for hosts

• De Bruyne looking to join elite group

• Read on for a potential 20/1 Bet Builder

• £2 free Bet Builder on any Premier League game here!

Grealish growing into City star

Following Euro 2020 Jack Grealish became the most expensive English player of all time when he moved to Manchester City for £100m, and after a season to adjust to life in Pep Guardiola's system we are seeing his best run of form in a City shirt.

Since returning from the World Cup in Qatar the 27-year-old has been directly involved in eight league goals with last weekend's man of the match display against Liverpool showing him at his absolute best.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was run ragged, with Grealish setting up City's equaliser and scoring their fourth to help keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

With 10 league games left in their season City are 11/10 to win the title, but will know that playing before Arsenal do this weekend they have a chance to increase the pressure on their rivals with a win.

Grealish will be looking to score or assist in consecutive games for the first time in his City career and, at 5/6 he's well backed. However, I'll be backing the England international to notch his fifth league goal at 11/4.

Southampton hoping for League Cup repeat

One of the few bright spots of a dismal season for Southampton was their League Cup run, which featured a surprise 2-0 win over Manchester City at the start of the year. Goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo saw Saints progress at the expense of a rotated City side.

However, that victory was the latest in a string of recent positive results for Satuday's hosts at Saint Mary's against Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side have won just two of their last five visits to the south coast and Ruben Selles will be hoping for more of the same in their battle against relegation.

James Ward-Prowse has been the hero in a couple of high profile results for Saints recently, with a trademark free-kick securing a win against Chelsea and an injury time penalty stealing a point against Tottenham.

The captain will need to be at his best and will need help from a couple of ex-Manchester City players, Romeo Lavia and Gavin Bazunu, if the relegation threatened hosts are to pick up points on Saturday.

Southampton have already picked up draws against Arsenal and Spurs, as well as a win over Chelsea at home this term and are 3/1 to avoid defeat in another game against the traditional Big Six.

History beckons for KDB

Last Saturday saw Kevin De Bruyne create his 99th Premier League goal when he provided an assist for Jack Grealish. This Saturday gives the Belgian a chance to join an elite group of legendary players.

Ryan Giggs, Cesc Fabregas, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard are the only players in league history with 100 assists to their name, and De Bruyne can become the fifth man to reach that mark and he'll do it in record time.

The Belgian has played 237 league games, 56 fewer than Fabregas who is the current fastest to 100 assists.

With goal machine Erling Haaland back in training and City having scored 17 times in their last three games I'd fancy the two men to have plenty of chances to combine again against a Southampton defence who will sit deep and try to frustrate.

Those expecting a comfortable City win could look to add a Grealish goal to that Bet Builder and get just over 20/1 odds. This weekend Betfair are offering a completely free Bet Builder which I will be using on Pep's attacking trio. Your free bet can be claimed here.