Manchester City vs Southampton prediction: Manchester City line-up

Manchester City welcome Southampton at the Etihad on Saturday after beating them 3-1 in the Carabao Cup round of 16.

City’s win on Tuesday continued their remarkable run in this competition that has seen them win the trophy for the last two seasons and now unbeaten in three years of games. Tommy Doyle, Eric Garcia and Phil Foden all started for City in their Carabao Cup tie as manager Pep Guardiola heavily rotated his squad.

With Southampton in a rut, Manchester City will look to get a win on Saturday as well and make it three wins on a bounce in the Premier League.

Team News

Angelino was forced off with an injury against Southampton in the Carabao Cup and remains a doubt for the upcoming game. Oleksandr Zinchenko is out for five-six weeks with a knee injury, while Rodri is expected to return after the international break.

Fernandinho will return back to the Man City squad having served a one-game ban following his sending off against Aston Villa.

Probable Manchester City XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Ederson (GK)

Ederson is City’s first-choice goalkeeper and there’s no reason why he’ll not play on Saturday.

Joao Cancelo (RB)

Cancelo could get the nod ahead of Walker at right-back having impressed against Aston Villa last weekend.

Fernandinho (CB)

Having served his one-game ban, Fernandinho will walk straight into City’s starting XI on Saturday.

John Stones (CB)

Stones was given a rest in the midweek Carabao Cup fixture, so he’ll be fresh to face the Saints in the Premier League.

Benjamin Mendy (LB)

Mendy has been really good since returning from injury. The Frenchman will start against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Ilkay Gundogan (CDM)

With Rodri injured, Gundogan will start in a deeper role and look to control the game from minute one.

David Silva (LCM)

There’s no doubt that Silva will be one of City’s biggest offensive threats at the weekend.

Kevin de Bruyne (RCM)

De Bruyne will be looking to link up with all the other players around him and carve open the Southampton defence.

Raheem Sterling (LW)

Sterling got a deserved break in midweek which should help him recharge his batteries and cause riot against the Saints at the Etihad.

Riyad Mahrez (RW)

Mahrez has been playing really well of late and was involved in two City goals in the Carabao Cup victory over Southampton. The Algerian should keep his place in the team.

More Manchester City News

Gabriel Jesus (ST)

Jesus has been preferred ahead of Aguero in the last two league fixtures and he has performed well. There’s no reason why Guardiola would change it at the weekend as City aim to beat Southampton twice this week.