Manchester City face Southampton in an FA Cup semifinal at Wembley on Saturday, with the match expected to produce more than 2.5 goals and Nico González part of a City side chasing another major step forward. Rodri will not be available after suffering a calf problem against Arsenal.
City arrive on five consecutive wins in all competitions, a run that has included victories over Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool and has taken them to the top of the Premier League for the first time this year. Southampton, meanwhile, have put together an unbeaten run of 20 matches in all competitions and reached this stage by eliminating Arsenal.
Southampton’s path has been built on resilience. On April 14, 2026, they beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0, a result that added to the sense that they have become the most feared team in the Championship and have carried that edge into the cup. City, by contrast, have used their own surge to repair the damage of an earlier setback, beginning their five-match winning streak after being eliminated from the Champions League.
The semifinal also carries a heavier edge for City because it offers a chance at revenge after losing last year’s final against Crystal Palace. Pep Guardiola has already cast doubt on Rodri’s availability, saying, “Está mejor, pero es improba,” a reminder that even at this stage City will have to manage one of their most important absences. Southampton’s presence only sharpens the contrast: a club on a 20-match unbeaten run against a team in title form, with Wembley likely to force the issue quickly.
For Nico González, the assignment is clear enough. City do not need another reminder that the margins in knockout football can turn on one injury, one chance or one late run into the box. Saturday’s semifinal should decide which of these two teams can live with that pressure better.