Guardiola Warns City Against Underestimating Already-Relegated Southampton

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is gearing up for a crucial match against Southampton, with Erling Haaland returning from injury. Read more about City's push for a Champions League spot.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed delight over Erling Haaland's recovery from a nearly six-week ankle injury, stating the Norwegian striker is fit and ready to potentially start against Southampton this weekend.

Haaland, who has scored 21 Premier League goals, had fallen to third place in the race for the Golden Boot award, trailing Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (28 goals) and Newcastle United's Alexander Isak (23 goals). Despite this, his return bolsters Manchester City's push for a Champions League spot, with the team currently sitting third in the league standings.

With crucial matches approaching, including the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 17 and the remaining league games against Bournemouth and Fulham, Guardiola's team is focused on securing a top-five position to qualify for the Champions League. Haaland's availability is a significant boost, and Guardiola mentioned that the final decision on his starting position against Southampton will be made soon.

Manchester City are currently third in the standings with three games left, trailing second-placed Arsenal by three points and ahead of Newcastle by a single point.

Pep Guardiola confirmed that Erling Haaland is fit and ready, saying, “He's ready, he's fit. If he starts, we decide [on Saturday].” However, Rodri remains unavailable, while Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake have started training but aren't yet ready for selection.

Southampton, already relegated, sits at the bottom of the table with 11 points and only two wins this season. Despite their dire situation, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly not underestimating them.

PEP 💬 (On Erling's fitness) He’s ready. He’s ready, he's fit. To start? We will decide tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/PWo7Dv7IAK

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 9, 2025

As City looks to secure a Champions League spot, they'll face tough competition from Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa. City currently ranks third, just a point behind Arsenal and 18 points ahead of fourth-placed Newcastle United. A win against Southampton would bring them closer to achieving their goal.

Pep Guardiola emphasized the importance of the upcoming match against Southampton, saying, “We start 0-0 and it is a massively important game for us. Three games left. Huge respect for them.”

PEP 💬 (On twists and turns in the UCL race) think there are six or seven teams that can qualify. We have to make a lot of points and after, if we make three victories, we will be there.

It is in our hands. We don't need to wait for anything else. This is what we have to do. Win… pic.twitter.com/XMizhTBxAq

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 9, 2025

On City's current winning streak, Guardiola noted, “It's the best results we've got in a row. In the beginning of the season, we did it. In terms of today, we can do better.”

Guardiola emphasized the importance of securing a Champions League spot, saying, “The target when you're not champions is to qualify for the next Champions League season. If we make three victories, we'll be there. It's in our hands.”

Despite the possibility of finishing second and winning the FA Cup, Guardiola remains focused on the immediate challenge, stating, “I'm not thinking about that, I'm sorry to tell you. It's just Southampton that's on my mind and all week I've been thinking about them... The rest of the analysis, we will do it at the end of the season.”