Man City predicted lineup vs Southampton - Premier League

Manchester City have made hard work of their recent Premier League fixtures but a visit from winless Southampton should offer them a more comfortable afternoon this Saturday.

After dropping points to Arsenal and Newcastle United, the reigning champions stumbled to a 3-2 win over Fulham before needing a controversial 95th-minute John Stones header to secure all three points against bottom of the table Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

Injuries have made life more challenging for Pep Guardiola's men, with Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne the most notable absentees. However, even with an ailing squad, City should secure a weekend victory against the Saints to take advantage of dropped points in Sunday's clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.

Here is how Guardiola could line the Citzyzens up at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City predicted lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1)

GK: Ederson - The Brazilian was one of the few first-team players given the night off in the 5-0 midweek win over Sparta Prague but there is no question he will return on Saturday. He shouldn't be overly busy, though.

RB: Rico Lewis - With Kyle Walker injured, Lewis will see plenty of first-team football over the coming weeks. The flexible right-back will pop up regularly in midfield on Saturday as Southampton sit deep and soak up pressure.

CB: John Stones - With two goals in his last two outings and three across the season thus far, Stones is proving reliable in both boxes. However, City are without a Premier League clean sheet since the opening weekend and will want to amend that at home to one of the division's lowest scorers.

CB: Ruben Dias - Dias spent much of the win over Sparta Prague resting on the bench and he remains City's most integral central defender. Likely to come up against the in-form Cameron Archer.

LB: Josko Gvardiol - Another first-teamer who was only used from the bench against Sparta Prague, Gvardiol has provided some important goals for City in recent weeks. A stunner against Wolves added to a lovely strike against Newcastle in late September.

DM: Mateo Kovacic - The last time City played a Premier League match on home soil, Kovacic was the unlikely scorer of a brace in victory over Fulham. The midfielder's significance has grown in Rodri's absence.

DM: Ilkay Gundogan - Matheus Nunes' impressive display midweek means Gundogan's place as Kovacic's partner is under some threat. However, the German has the experience and quality to see off his team-mate for the time being.

RW: Savinho - With Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb and Jack Grealish all sidelined, a natural winger is a luxury for Guardiola at the moment. Savinho has made a bright start in sky blue but is yet to open his goalscoring account.

AM: Bernardo Silva - A steady seven out of ten performer each and every week, Guardiola knows exactly what Silva has to offer in either midfield or a wide role. The Portuguese has been a chief creator with a team-high three assists and five big chances created in the Premier League.

LW: Phil Foden - After struggling with illness and fatigue, Foden is showing glimpses of his 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Season form. The late assist for Stones last weekend was followed by a well-taken goal midweek.

ST: Erling Haaland - An exceptional acrobatic strike and typical Haaland finish secured a brace midweek, ending the Norwegian's run of two City games without a goal. For him, that's a long period, and he hasn't scored in the Premier League since the draw with Arsenal.

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