Man City vs Southampton Preview: Team News & Prediction | Haaland to run riot?
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On paper, this looks like something of a mismatch as reigning champions Man City take on winless Southampton at the Etihad on Saturday.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 26th October, 2024: UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Peacock Premium
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Premier League on Peacock
MAN CITY PREVIEW: LATE SHOW FROM STONES AGAIN
Not for the first time this season, John Stones came to the rescue for Man City when the centre-back scored in the 95th minute to earn a 1-2 win away at Wolves last weekend, which ensured that the champions kept within touching distance of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola's side followed that up with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday, and they remain unbeaten in all competitions in the current campaign.
SOUTHAMPTON PREVIEW: THREE DEFEATS ON THE BOUNCE
Southampton's defensive woes continued last weekend in their painful defeat to fellow promoted outfit Leicester. After the Saints went into the break two goals to the good, they capitulated in the second half as Facundo Buonanotte and a Jamie Vardy penalty drew the Foxes level before Jordan Ayew's late winner.
Under-fire boss Russell Martin must now steer his side out of difficult waters with the Saints currently winless in their eight Premier League games this season.
MAN CITY TEAM NEWS: NO RETURNEES
Pep has confirmed that none of Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish nor Jeremy Doku will return for this fixture, but all four are not thought to be carrying injuries that will keep them out long term.
Rodri and Oscar Bobb are of course the more serious injuries, with Bobb originally penned to return in the early months of 2025 while Rodri will miss the entire season.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic; Savinho, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden; Haaland
UNAVAILABLE: Walker (Injured), Rodri (Injured), De Bruyne (Injured), Grealish (Injured), Doku (Injured), Bobb (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
SOUTHAMPTON TEAM NEWS: STEPHENS AVAILABLE BUT SMALLBONE OUT AGAIN
After only recently returning from injury, Will Smallbone is out again following a setback, while full-back Yukinari Sugawara is being assessed and is doubtful for this clash.
Ryan Fraser, who received a red card just 11 minutes after joining the action against Leicester last week, is suspended, but Jack Stephens has finally completed his ban and could partner Jan Bednarek in central defence.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Sugawara, Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Aribo, Downes; Dibling, Fernandes, Sulemana; Archer
UNAVAILABLE: Bazunu (Injured), Smallbone (Injured), Fraser (Suspended), Stewart (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Sugawara (Injured)
MAN CITY VS SOUTHAMPTON PREDICTION
With Southampton - yet to keep a clean sheet in any competition this season - having conceded three goals in each of their last three outings, it is difficult to look past a Man City rout here.
Having gone three league games without finding the net, Erling Haaland will be eager to make up for that in this fixture. The Norwegian was back amongst the goals in the Champions League midweek, and he looks in the mood to exploit a vulnerable Saints backline.
MAN CITY VS SOUTHAMPTON TIP: MAN CITY TO WIN & ERLING HAALAND TO SCORE
