The Citizens have earned nine points from their four league games this season, placing them fifth in the table, while Southampton are 14th, having earned three points from their four games in 2021-22.
Manchester City
Phil Foden made his first appearance of the season against RB Leipzig in midweek, but it’s too early to expect him to start.
Because Aymeric Laporte and John Stones were both absent against Leipzig, Nathan Ake, who scored against Leipzig, has a chance to start here.
After making substitute appearances on Wednesday, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, and Gabriel Jesus should all return to the starting XI on Saturday.
Jack Grealish has started every game for Manchester City this season, so a rest may be in order at some point. Raheem Sterling, on the other hand, has only started one of their five games.
Southampton
Shane Long returned to training on Wednesday after recovering from COVID-19, but Stuart Armstrong and Theo Walcott remain out for the visitors.
Kyle Walker-Peters could fill in at right-back or left-back, while Jack Stephens and Mohammed Salisu appear to be Southampton’s preferred center-back pairing at the moment.
Che Adams is pushing for a recall after being left out of the squad for the game against West Ham last week, but given their task this weekend, it wouldn’t be surprising if they stick with one striker up front. Nathan Tella could make a surprise start for the visiting team this weekend.
Prediction
Manchester City defeated RB Leipzig 6-3 in midweek. Pep Guardiola’s team has now scored five or more goals in three of their last four games. Not bad for a team that did not sign a striker in the offseason.
Southampton held West Ham to a 0-0 draw last weekend, giving them three consecutive Premier League draws. They have lost their last five away games against City.
Southampton have been a difficult nut to crack in recent weeks, particularly in the second half of their match against Manchester United on August 22. Man City, on the other hand, are in such good form right now that we expect Guardiola’s team to score three more goals in another comfortable home victory.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Jesus, Torres, Grealish
Southampton possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Livramento, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud; Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Elyounoussi; Redmond, Armstrong, Djenepo
Our Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Southampton