As of now, the Citizens sit in second place with only one point behind the leading side Arsenal. Meanwhile, the Saints are one point above the relegation zone in the 16th place.
Team News
Manchester City
- Kalvin Philips, John Stones, and Kyle Walker will not feature in the match due to injuries.
- Guardiola could consider bringing back Rodri to the first XI after recovering from a minor injury that kept him out of the Manchester’s derby.
- Kelvin de Bruyne and Phil Foden could also return to the starting lineup after being rested in mid-week while Haaland is expected to start again as the central striker.
- Joao Cancelo is set to start at the right-back in Walker’s absence. Also, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte will be fighting to keep their places at centre-back ahead of Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.
Southampton
- Right-back Valentino Livramento and Romeo Lavia remin sidelined with respective ACL and muscle injuries.
- As Lavia watches from the sidelines, Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios and Sam Edozie are all pushing to start against their former club.
- Hasenhuttl is expected to stick with a flat 4-2-2 formation which he has used in all his three matches with Man City last season.
- Stuart Armstrong and Joe Aribo could potentially keep their places on the flanks with Duje Caleta-Car-who made his debut last weekend- will be hoping to retain his place at center-back
Possible Lineup
Manchester City: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Gomez, De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo, Foden, Haaland, Grealish.
Southampton: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Caleta-Car, Larios, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Aribo, Mara, Adams
Prediction Analysis
Man City may have struggle to pass through Southampton’s backline the last time they locked horns on home soil. However, the Citizens now possess a goal-hungry striker in form of Haaland who has no signs of slowing down.
With Guardiola set to name his stronger side, we therefore expect the reigning champions to ease to victory against the Saints.
Our prediction is Manchester City 4-0 Southampton