Manchester City vs. Southampton: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

English Premier League football is back for the 2012-2013 season. Last year's champion, Manchester City, looks to continue their stretch of dominance, but they need to take care of business in the first game of the season against Southampton.

Southampton was promoted this season after finishing second in the English League Championship last year. Playing in the Premier League for the first time since the 2004-2005 season, their goal clearly has to be to not get relegated this season.

The 2011-2012 Manchester City squad did their job and put on quite a show in the process. They dominated both sides of the ball, scoring 93 goals and only allowing 29. Another example of their high level of play is that if you happened to make it to any of their home games last year, then you didn't see them lose, as they finished the year with a home record of 18 wins, one draw and no losses.

Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

When: Sunday, August 19, 11:00 a.m. ET

Live Stream: foxsoccer2go.com

TV Information: Fox Soccer Channel, 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. ET

Southampton Needs to Play for a Draw

"With the clock winding down, Southampton carries the ball into the box. Last year's leading scorer, Rickie Lambert, receives the ball in the middle and blasts his shot past Manchester City keeper, Joe Hart, for the win!"

Did you have a nice dream?

There are just some games where teams have to play to get whatever points they can, and Southampton needs to have this approach come Sunday. Playing defensive, possession-minded football will put them in the best position to limit Manchester City's opportunities on net.

In all reality, they have nothing to lose. It's the first game of the season, they're playing the defending Premier League champions, and nobody expects them to win. If Southampton can look at the game from that perspective and look to embrace the role of season opener spoiler, then they'll give themselves somewhat of an opportunity to get a draw and steal a point in the standings.

Manchester City Needs to Play Manchester City Football

Playing in front of your home crowd in the first game of the season is always exciting. On top of that, Manchester City won the Premier League title last year and is playing against a newly promoted team.

This should be an easy one for them right?

If they play with the intention of winning, and not to make Southampton look like a low-level team, then yes, it should be an easy one.

Sometimes an elite team has the tendency to play down to the level of their competition, clearly destroying most of the advantages that they came into the match with. The final score of the game shouldn't be too close and as long as Manchester City doesn't fall victim to playing down to Southampton's level, then the final score won't be.

Manchester City Wins this One: 3-0

Manchester City is pretty much the same team as it was last season. They know how to play football at the highest level, and you shouldn't expect to see anything but that on Sunday.

It'll be fun to watch how Southampton reacts to the environment of Premier League football. They'll either embrace it and play at a high level, or they'll fear it and struggle for 90 minutes.

Either way, Manchester City is too strong and plays too well together for them to get beaten by Southampton in the season opener.