Manchester City vs Southampton: Fans and Media predicted starting XIs

Manchester City could momentarily climb to the top of the Premier League table when they welcome Southampton to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Citizens currently sit in second place and only one point behind leaders Arsenal – who face Liverpool on Sunday – while the Saints are just one point above the relegation zone in 16th place.

Man City extended their winning streak in all competitions to five matches with a comfortable 5-0 victory at home against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

There were no prizes for guessing who broke the deadlock at the Etihad, as Erling Braut Haaland found the net after just seven minutes before adding a second shortly after the half-hour mark, taking his remarkable goal tally for the season to 19 after just 11 games in all tournaments.

An own goal put City three in front at the break, before goals from Riyad Mahrez – netting on his 200th appearance for the club – and Julian Alvarez helped the hosts cruise to victory and maintain their perfect start in Group G. A win in the reverse fixture against Copenhagen next week would secure their place in the knockout rounds.

Pep Guardiola’s side return to Premier League action on Saturday and they are the only team in the division who remain unbeaten from the opening eight matches this term. Understandably, the Citizens are in buoyant mood, but they will be wary of the threat that their next opponents Southampton are likely to pose.

City dropped points in both top-flight encounters against the Saints last season, playing out a rare goalless draw on home soil in September 2021 before drawing 1-1 at St Mary’s in January. The Citizens did, however, secure a 4-1 FA Cup victory at St Mary’s in March.

Since losing 3-2 at home to Tottenham Hotspur in February, Guardiola’s men have put together a 15-game unbeaten run at the Etihad in all competitions, scoring an impressive 54 goals in the process, and they will be strong favourites to extend this run on Saturday against a Southampton side struggling for form.

Team News

The news around the injury front are mixed for Guardiola to contend with. Kyle Walker underwent groin surgery, which would keep him out for the next months. The right-back is in real danger of missing the World Cup. Meanwhile, the manager would be glad to welcome Rodri back into the fold after the midfielder missed the Manchester Derby last weekend.

Kalvin Philipps and John Stones are the other absentees, although Guardiola has sufficient cover in the squad to paper over their absences. Rodri’s return could allow the manager to play a more fluid lineup against Southampton, which puts Ilkay Gundogan’s place at risk.

Man City predicted line-up for Southampton fixture

Manchester City will hope to welcome back Rodri for the visit of Southampton. Ilkay Gundogan would likely make way, with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva making up the midfield three.

Up front, it will likely be a case of as they were with derby hat-trick heroes Erling Haaland and Phil Foden alongside a Jack Grealish who is really hitting his stride this season.

However, the more interesting aspect of Pep Guardiola’s team selection will be in defence, where the groin injury sustained by Kyle Walker will force Guardiola to reshuffle the pack. Joao Cancelo will of course deputise at right-back, meaning Sergio Gomez could get the chance to start a Premier League game for the first time.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

In what is set to be an enthralling contest, here is how Some Man City Fans and Media expect Pep Guardiola’s side to line-up.

Evening Standard XI : Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Gomez; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Foden, Haaland, Grealish

City Xtra XI: Ederson; Joao Cancelo, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Sergio Gomez; Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne; Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish.

Alex Brotherton (MEN) XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Akanji, Ake, Gomez, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Foden , Haaland, Grealish

Simon Bajkowski (MEN) XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Akanji, Ake, Gomez, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Foden , Haaland, Grealish

@RonaldoEugene1 XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte, Ake, KDB, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Halaand, Grealish

Man City Vs Southampton predicted line up pic.twitter.com/5xq6nCIQey

— Patrick True city Fan ™ 🇲🇼🤝🇮🇪 (@Patrickchito) October 8, 2022

Who do you think will be in the XI against Southampton?

Best Starting XI base on Majority: Ederson, Cancelo, Akanji, Ake, Gomez, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland, Grealish