Former star says Saints have nothing to fear when they face champions
Friday 28 November 2014 13:55, UK
Matt Le Tissier says Southampton's rise up the Premier League table this season is no accident and has backed his old side to hold champions Manchester City on Super Sunday.
Since losing to Liverpool on the opening day of the campaign, Saints have won eight of their 11 games and boast the best goal difference at home in the league.
Southampton’s only defeats have come at Liverpool and Tottenham, but Le Tissier believes they have the potential to compete against the biggest teams, starting with City on Sunday.
“City are favourites in most games they go into but Southampton aren’t in this position by fluke, so there’s definitely a chance of an upset here,” he told Sky Sports.
“There’s just something about Southampton at the minute, there’s so much potential there, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win, but I think it’ll be a draw.
“I’d love them to win of course, but I’m expecting a point and I’ll take that. It’s the first of three huge games for them, with Arsenal and Manchester United still to come.
“But two of them are at St. Mary’s and I think I’m right in saying Southampton are the top scorers at home as well as having the best defensive record, so there’s nothing to fear.”
In-form City striker Sergio Aguero has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, 12 of which have come in the Premier League.
However, City have lost to Stoke and West Ham already this season, with Aguero failing to score on both occasions, and Le Tissier believes the visitors are there for the taking if the Argentine can be marked out of the game at St. Mary’s.
“Sergio Aguero is obviously key, but if you look at City’s record when he scores and when he doesn’t then you’ll see that they’re vulnerable if you can keep him quiet,” he said.
“Southampton’s defence has been solid so far this season, particularly at home, where they’ve got the best record in the league.
“The only mistake I can think of this season is the one on Monday night, when there was a bit of confusion between [Toby] Alderweireld and [Fraser] Forster.
“But that aside they’ve been solid, particularly Jose Fonte, so I’m hopeful they can stop Aguero.”
Le Tissier is by no means underestimating the City striker, though, who he ranks among the best in the world.
He added: “He’s up there with the best of them. Behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, I’d put Aguero in a bracket of three along with Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale.”
