SAINTS take on one of the most lethal attacking sides in the whole of Europe this afternoon, writes SIMON CARTER.

Manchester City have belted 40 goals in only 14 Premier League games - 10 more than the next highest, Liverpool.

Throughout all the top leagues in Europe, only Real Madrid (2.93) are averaging more league goals per game than City’s 2.86.

Amazingly, City have belted 62 goals in all competitions this season. They have netted 25 of them in winning their last five home games in all competitions.

City are the only side in the Premier League to have scored more than five in a league game this term - battering Norwich 7-0 and Tottenham 6-0.

Four City players have scored more than Saints’ top scorer Jay Rodriguez’ six league and cup goals.Sergio Ageuro leads the way with 17 goals - 11 in the league and six in the Champions League.

Then comes Alvaro Negredo, above, a £20m arrival from Seville last summer.

He will roll up at St Mary’s tomorrow boasting 12 goals this season, including eight in his last seven league and cup games - including a Champions League triple against CSKA Moscow.

Negredo will need no introduction to Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino.

The Spanish international was a regular scorer against his Espanyol during three seasons in La Liga with Seville.

Negredo netted twice in May 2011 when Seville won 3-2 at Espanyol, Saints striker Dani Osvaldo grabbing a reply.

Midfielder Yaya Toure now has 11 in all competitions after netting twice in Wednesday’s 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion.

And striker Edin Dzeko, who grabbed City’s consolation in last season’s 3-1 humbling at Saints, has seven goals to his name.

City’s fifth top scorer, Samir Nasri, has five goals to his name - which is one more than Rickie Lambert has scored in 2013/14.

City have scored all those goals even though £23m summer arrival Steven Jevotic has missed most of the campaign through injury.