Manchester City will be looking to tighten their grip on a spot in the Premier League‘s top five when they travel to face Southampton on Saturday at 3pm.
Man City predicted lineup vs Southampton
Man City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic; Marmoush, Gundogan, Doku; De Bruyne.
Going into Gameweek 36, Man City currently sit third in the Premier League, two points clear of sixth. They’re in a good run of form too, winning their past four league games — their joint-best run of the season.
Hosting Man City are already-relegated Southampton, who have three games left to avoid joining Derby County as the worst team in Premier League history.
Man City lost just three of their 25 Premier League games against Southampton since the 2004-05 season, so will have confidence for this one.
Man City team news vs Southampton
You never know what to expect when it comes to Pep Guardiola’s teams. It’s even more of a mystery when Man City are facing a team like Southampton, who have three games left in the Premier League. But there are a few guarantees.
Nathan Ake will not play and faces a race to be fit before the end of the Premier League season — a return ahead of the Club World Cup may be more likely. John Stones and Rodri are also set to miss out, though they could feature soon.
Man City have had a full week’s rest since their last game, and will get another week before they play next in the FA Cup Final. So Guardiola could go full strength.
The biggest question will be surrounding Erling Haaland’s participation. The Norwegian returned to the bench last weekend, though he was an unused substitute. And Guardiola may look to bring him on from the bench this time around.
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In his stead, Kevin De Bruyne could continue up front, particularly as he loves to play against Southampton. The Belgian has been directly involved in 14 Premier League goals against Southampton, scoring four alongside 10 assists.
That would leave Omar Marmoush playing out wide, with Bernardo Silva continuing alongside Mateo Kovacic in the holding roles. Manuel Akanji still hasn’t been trusted to start since his injury, so Josko Gvardiol is expected to play at centre-back with Nico O’Reilly on the left.
Why Man City won’t mind going behind
Man City won the reverse fixture 1-0 this season, thanks to Haaland’s fifth-minute goal. But the Citizens haven’t kept a clean sheet in consecutive league meetings against Southampton since doing so in both meetings of the 2014-15 campaign.
Is it a bad thing if they do concede, though? Even conceding first would be fine. That’s because Southampton are the worst team in the Premier League season when taking the lead.
Saints have dropped 28 points from winning positions in the league this season, more than any other side — with Ipswich Town the second-worst team, dropping 27 points from winning positions. Tottenham Hotspur (26) complete the bottom three.
If Southampton take the lead and fail to beat Man City this weekend, it will be the first time they’ve lost 30+ points from winning positions in a single Premier League campaign.
Man City are pretty good when coming from behind too. The Citizens have gained 20 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, with only Liverpool (22) winning more.