Manchester City look to continue their title challenge as Pep Guardiola’s Citizens welcome Southampton to Etihad Stadium.
Should Liverpool lose elsewhere, Man City can go top for two hours at minimum with victory due to Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton not playing on Saturday (18 September) afternoon.
Southampton meanwhile could go as high as ninth depending on results elsewhere.
Team News
John Stones is a doubt for Man City after missing Wednesday’s Champions League win over RB Leipzig with a muscle injury.
Aymeric Laporte (groin) is also considered a doubt but Zack Steffen (Coronavirus), Benjamin Mendy (suspension) and Liam Delap (unspecified) are ruled out.
Southampton could welcome Shane Long back after he completed self-isolation following a positive Coronavirus test.
Stuart Armstrong (calf), Theo Walcott (muscle) and Will Smallbone (knee) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Man City have lost just one of their 10 league clashes against Southampton since Pep Guardiola took charge in summer 2016 (W8, D1, L1).
- Southampton have avoided defeat just once in their last 12 trips to Etihad Stadium across all competitions (D1, L11).
- City have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six home matches against Southampton (W5, D1).
- Gabriel Jesus is the only City player to have produced more than one Premier League assist this season, with the Brazilian setting up three of City’s 11 goals in their opening four matches.
- Southampton’s Che Adams has won more aerial battles than his teammates, having won 14 of his 34 aerial battles in three league appearances.
Prediction
Following their sluggish start to the season, City have quickly found their feet with a series of ruthless clinical performances, although Guardiola will be slightly concerned about the fact that they conceded three goals in Wednesday’s win over RB Leipzig despite netting six goals themselves.
Southampton meanwhile will be slightly disappointed to have not beaten West Ham last weekend, simply because they were impressive on the attack with their movement and shot creations, yet just weren’t clinical enough against a stubborn Hammers defence.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints though will have to be clinical here if they want a result because I can’t see past Man City winning this comfortably.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Southampton
Result: Manchester City 0-0 Southampton
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