Fresh off a 3-1 win in midweek, Manchester City return to Premier League action against a familiar opponent: Southampton.
Manchester City will look to apply one last push on leaders Liverpool before the two titans of English football clash at Anfield on Nov. 10 as City take on Southampton at the Etihad.
After the Blues easily dispatched the Saints 3-1 on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup, they will look to further compound Southampton’s misery on Saturday. With youngsters such as Tommy Doyle, Eric García, and Phil Foden playing in the previous match, City will likely field a much stronger side for this match.
Southampton did apply some pressure during the match, but were absolutely bossed in possession, allowing the hosts to hold 77% of the ball. Sitting deep and defending in numbers is something Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men have seriously struggled to do in recent weeks, with their two previous matches against Leicester and Manchester City ending by a combined 12-1 scoreline.
With the Saints in the bottom three, they will look to gain some momentum by getting a result against familiar opposition, but manager Pep Guardiola should have his team ready to play to their best.
Fernandinho should come back into the side at center-back after serving his suspension, and will most likely to be partnered with John Stones, although Nicolás Otamendi is working his way back to fitness. The Argentinian central defender played 90 minutes in midweek and even scored the opening goal of the match.
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Benjamin Mendy should return to the side as he looks to continue his run of consistent games in the team, while İlkay Gündoğan attempts to keep his brilliant run of form going in the middle of the park. Guardiola remains spoiled for choice in attack, although Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, and Sergio Agüero all featured in midweek.
The Citizens will once again be heavy favorites to put a big number past their opposition from the South Coast, and once again the key will be to avoid complacency. With an even stronger team available than the one that comfortably handled Southampton in midweek, if they can keep their focus, there is no reason to believe that the Blues will not deliver on expectations.
Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Southampton