City v Southampton: PL2 play-off final match preview
WHEN AND WHERE
For one final time in 2024/25, the Joie Stadium will host our Premier League 2 play-off final on Thursday 22 May.
Advertisement
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:15 (UK) and will be available to watch live on CITY+.
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE - CITY V SOUTHAMPTON
Ben Wilkinson's squad confirmed City's place in the final for the first time since the competition's restructure following a Manchester derby win in the semi-final earlier this month.
Prior to our triumph over United, City overcame extra-time wins against Liverpool and Arsenal in the play-offs in what has been an already fantastic season for our young boys in blue.
Our opponents overcame Crystal Palace, Fulham and Leicester en route to the prestigious final.
Both teams will be looking to win the PL2 play-off final trophy for the first time since the competition's restructure in 2023/24.
Advertisement
A win for City would mean we become the most successful PL2 team with four title wins.
An hour and a half before kick-off, our PL2 final Matchday Centre will get underway with City-centric updates to guide you through the evening before, during and after the game.
Regular updates of the match will be available on X: @ManCityAcademy once the game begins.
A detailed match report and post-match reaction will be on mancity.com and the Official Man City App shortly after the final whistle.
WATCH: Highlights | City EDS 2-0 Man Utd
PREVIOUS MEETING
Southampton are one of the five PL2 teams City didn't encounter in the league phase earlier this season.
Advertisement
Our last game against the Saints dates back to the 2020/21 campaign.
On home soil we beat Southampton 7-1 with Liam Delap bagging a hat-trick to help City win the PL2 title.
In the reverse fixture prior, Southampton ran out with a 5-2 win.
LAST TIME OUT
Compared to the two previous play-off games, City fought off United inside 90 minutes.
After a tightly contested first half in the semi-final, Divin Mubama gave City a well-deserved lead on 66 minutes, nodding home from close range after a fantastic Lakyle Samuel cross.
The game continued to be a tight and difficult affair until the 89th minute when Mubama struck again, putting the game out of reach for the Red Devils with a clever backheel.
WATCH: PL2 Pitcam highlights: City EDS 2-0 Manchester United
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
City and PUMA release yellow 2025/26 goalkeeper kit
City and PUMA are delighted to release our yellow goalkeeper kit for the 2025/26 season. It follows striking pink and green colour ways from earlier in the summer to complete the look for our shot-stoppers over the coming season. Whether it's our men's or women's teams, the stunning shirts will no doubt catch the eye at the Etihad and the Joie. Buy our yellow goalkeeper kit here It comes at the same time as the release of our Third kit, which is designed for those who carry City in their hearts, rain or shine. The new goalkeeper jersey, now available online and in-store, offers has a more relaxed fit, perfect for both match days and everyday wear. It incorporates PUMA's dryCELL sweat-wicking technology to keep fans dry and comfortable in all weathers. The 2025/26 Manchester City Third kit is available at and Manchester City Official Stores at 10% off for Members and Seasoncard holders. If buying online, the discount will be automatically applied when logged in with your Member account. Free delivery over £90/US$100/130euros, or visit our Stadium, Arndale, Yas Mall Abu Dhabi or Dubai Mall stores. There will also be a launch event for both this shirt and the 2025/26 Third kit held at the Etihad Stadium store on Friday 15 August between 11:00 and 15:00 (UK), including face painting, mascots, posters and 100 free mini-footballs for the first 100 kids kits sold!
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'Mad decisions' - Schumacher keen to address Wednesday issues before Barnsley
STEVEN Schumacher won't be letting Wanderers' cup exit against Sheffield Wednesday pass without comment. While all eyes turn to Saturday's game at Barnsley with three points at stake, the Bolton boss will review some of the poor decisions which contributed to a disappointing night, and an opportunity missed to host Premier League Leeds United in the next round. Even after going down to 10 men, Wanderers pulled themselves on three separate occasions – and though Schumacher applauded the spirit shown to do so, he did question some of the game management to keep the scorelines level. 'We were stretched at times, we made some mad decisions,' he told The Bolton News. 'We didn't let the game settle down once we equalised, twice, and then conceded pretty quickly. 'When it is so early into the season and people are still getting up to speed, that decision-making can sometimes be a little bit off, and it was, but it's not the end of the world. 'It is something that we can learn from and deal with pretty simply, and as everyone's seen so far this season, we've been really well organised, so it's no big drama if there's a couple of mistakes here and there. 'Every game is important and we didn't want to be out of the cup – we won't brush it under the carpet just because it isn't a league game. 'We will go back, talk about it, and see what we could have done better.' Much was made of the youthfulness of the Wednesday line-up – and though keeper Pierce Charles and captain Ike Ugbo had a reasonable amount of first team experience, there were several players used by Henrik Pedersen on the night who had never started a game for the Owls. Schumacher had warned his players about the potential for a difficult night but felt his players were suitably prepared, and not 'caught cold'. 'Not really,' he said. 'We showed the lads that these are young players who've got loads of energy, and in the pre-season games that we managed to watch, some of their rotation and their movement is really good. 'A lot of the younger players have played in the friendlies because the seniors have been not available, so we knew it was going to be difficult to figure out, and if you're not exactly spot on when you press, especially with their goalkeeper, they can pick you off. 'I just felt the game was a bit scrappy for 10 minutes, which can happen, but they capitalised on a moment when we made a mistake and the lad whacked it in from 30-odd yards into the top corner, so then we are on the back foot, but we responded well.' Sam Inwood was handed a straight red card by referee Oliver Langford for a professional foul on Charlie McNeil, and Schumacher admitted the young defender was upset after the game. 'He is gutted,' said the Whites boss. 'But it's one of them, there's not too much he could have done about it, I don't think. 'Maybe just drop a little bit quicker, so he doesn't allow the pass to go in behind him, but that is something he'll learn from. 'I'll watch it back, probably and go through it with him. He is gutted to have been out and left us short, but again, it's part of the game.'
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Vinnie Pasquantino's three-run home run (21)
Vinnie Pasquantino crushes a three-run home run to right field to extend the Royals lead to 4-0 in the 3rd
