City v Southampton: PL2 play-off final match preview

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21-05-2025

Everything you need to know ahead of our Premier League 2 play-off final against Southampton.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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