After City’s record-breaking win streak was brought to a screeching halt in the Manchester Derby, the Citizens need to find a response with a quick turnaround into league action against Southampton.
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The derby defeat was extremely disappointing from multiple perspectives, but in the grand scheme of the season, City remain 11 clear of their arch rivals in second place with just 10 games to go this season. Barring a monumental collapse, they will still easily be crowned as champions. However, regaining the momentum lost against United will be critical to City’s success for the rest of the season, as they remain alive in all three cup competitions, and the annual quadruple talk has begun to resurface.
Southampton have had some very bright moments this year, but they find themselves in 14th place, although a win on Wednesday could take them as high as 11th. As they are seven points clear with a game in hand, the Saints look to be clear of Fulham’s great escape attempt at the bottom of the league, but any result in a game this difficult would likely put their status in next year’s Premier League beyond any doubt.
For City, this feels like the perfect opportunity to get right back on track. They were not thrown directly back into the fire of the Champions League or a crucial midweek knockout cup tie, so they can refocus and get a league win at home against very beatable opposition.
Predicted XI: Ederson (GK), Kyle Walker (RB), Rúben Dias (CB), Aymeric Laporte (CB), Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB), Rodri (CDM), İlkay Gündoğan (CAM), Kevin De Bruyne (CAM), Raheem Sterling (RW), Gabriel Jesus (ST), Phil Foden (LW)