Pep Guardiola’s side arrive at St Mary’s looking for a 13th Premier League win in a row, which would take them 14 points clear at the top of the table before their title rivals play tomorrow.
The 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend saw Man City take an even stronger grip on the trophy, and they show no signs of slowing down.
With Thomas Tuchel’s Blues in a poor run of form and Liverpool having to deal with the continued absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, City look capable of running away with it.
Southampton were beaten last time out by Wolves at Molineux, but their home record is an extremely impressive one.
The Saints have not lost at St Mary’s since the end of September, also against Wolves, and so they will fancy their chances of testing City.
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Hasenhuttl’s pre-match thoughts:
“They are very used to playing against deep defending teams, they always find solutions and it is hard to defend like that.
“We want to make it active, don’t hide. We want to play brave like we always do, I think that’s what we’re known for.
“It’s what makes us successful sometimes against the big teams. This is what we’ll try.”
Reasons for Southampton to be confident…
The Saints haven’t lose at home since Wolves edged past them back in Southampton, so it’s a formidable St Mary’s record that they boast.
When these sides met earlier in the season at the Etihad, it finished goalless at the Etihad as the visitors earned an impressive point. City had 16 shots that day, but just one on target.
Add all that up, and there’s certainly some hope for Southampton this evening against the all-conquering City team.
League leaders are in the building…
MAN CITY LINEUP
Starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling, Foden, Grealish
Subs: Carson, Slicker, Stones, Ake, Gundogan, Jesus, Fernandinho, McAtee, Wilson-Esbrand
SOUTHAMPTON LINEUP
Starting XI: Forster, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, S Armstrong, Redmond, Adams, Broja
Subs: Caballero, Lyanco, Stephens, Long, A Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Diallo, Walcott, Valery
Just under 10 minutes to go until we get all the team news.
We know Mahrez won’t be involved for City, but beyond that it’s very difficult to know what Guardiola will do with his side!
Guardiola: Ward-Prowse best free-kick taker in the world
Pep Guardiola is fully aware of the threat that James Ward-Prowse gives Southampton from set-pieces.
The Saint captain scored a stunning 35-yard free-kick against Wolves last time out, and the City boss was full of praise for the midfielder’s ability.
“He’s the best taker right now worldwide,” Guardiola said.
“There isn’t a better taker than Ward-Prowse. He’s so good at it that maybe you miss his quality as a player as well.
“He is a guy who adapts in midfield positions, a team player who has great quality with or without the ball. At free-kicks, corners, he is exceptional.”
Prediction
The Saints have certainly caused City problems before but it’s hard to look past the champions given their recent form. It looks likely Guardiola’s side will finish the day 14 points clear at the top of the table.
Man City to win, 2-1.
