England international joins John Stones and Kalvin Phillips on the sidelines
Manchester City vs Southampton
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 3.00pm, Saturday 8th October 2022
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Andrew Madley Assistants: D Eaton, S Meredith Fourth Official: R Jones VAR: L Mason
Odds: Man City 1/9, Draw 9/1, Southampton 20/1
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Match of the Day
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Laporte, Akanji, Gomez, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand, Gundogan, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Palmer, Haaland, Alvarez, Mahrez
Injured: Stones, Phillips, Walker
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWWWW
Southampton
Manager: Ralph Hasenhüttl
Squad (from): McCarthy, Caballero, Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Perraud, Salisu, Larius, Bella-Kotchap, Maitland-Niles, Aribo, Ward-Prowse, S Armstrong, Djenepo, Elyounoussi, Diallo, A Armstrong, Adams, Mara, Edozie, Walcott
Injured: Livramento, Lavia
Doubtful: Larios, A Armstrong
Suspended: None
Form guide: LWLLL
Kyle Walker joins John Stones and Kalvin Phillips on the sidelines for the visit of Southampton tomorrow. The England full-back sustained a groin injury during the Manchester derby, and underwent surgery this week. He is expected to be out for a number of weeks.
The 6-3 annihilation of United leaves City in second place, just one point behind Arsenal, and Guardiola was asked if it was his side's work ethic was the main reason for their positive start to the season.
“One of them. Not the only one, but it’s one of them. Every player has things they need to do every single day. But I will tell you a secret, the main thing is the quality of the players.
“When you make back-to-back Premier Leagues always there is a question about work ethos. But there is no time to reflect. Every three days we have a game.
“We have the ability to forget immediately what we have done, good or bad. Now we face Southampton and since Ralph was the manager we have struggled to control the games. Last season we were not able to beat them in the Premier League.”
“[They are] a brave team. So aggressive and well organised. It doesn't matter what happened in last games, they have a culture that I like a lot without the ball. We need to create a good rhythm. It’s important fixture for us and we want to get another three points.
“We don't have time to be distracted, today we prepare and then we play. Then we travel again and play another one. The players and backroom staff are just focused on what we have to do."
City drew their last game against Southampton at The Etihad 0-0. Overall City have won 39 of the 98 games played against the Saints, with 27 draws and 32 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Cancelo, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish, Foden, Haaland
Score prediction: City 3 Soutthampton 1