Ex-Leeds midfielder poised to make first start for the Blues in Carabao Cup quarter final
Southampton vs Manchester City
Competition: Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Date: 8.00pm, Wednesday 11th January 2023
Venue: St Mary's Stadium, Southampton
Referee: Peter Bankes Assistants: E Smart, N Greenhalgh Fourth Official: J Brooks
Odds: Southampton 12/1, Draw 11/2, City 2/9
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Southampton
Manager: Nathan Jones
Squad (from): McCarthy, Caballero, Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Perraud, Salisu, Larios, Maitland-Niles, Aribo, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo, Elyounoussi, Diallo, Lavia, A Armstrong, Adams, Mara, Edozie, Walcott
Injured: Livramento, Bella-Kotchap, S Armstrong
Doubtful: Walcott, Larios, McCarthy
Suspended: None
Form guide: WLLLW
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Stones, Ake, Cancelo, Laporte, Akanji, Gomez, Lewis, Phillips, Gundogan, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Palmer, Haaland, Alvarez, Mahrez
Injured: Dias
Doubtful: Grealish
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWDWW
Jack Grealish returns to the squad after missing the FA Cup victory against Chelsea with illness, whilst Ruben Dias remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Kalvin Phillips is in line to make his full debut after a frustrating start to his City career.
“He needed a little bit of time but he’s ready,” said manager Pep Guardiola..
“We have to see (if he will start), but he’s intelligent. He is normally a holding midfielder. He has an incredible work ethic.
“He was educated in Leeds with Marcelo Bielsa.
“He had the commitment in every training session and every game, so I don’t have doubts, but of course there are pattern and movements, he needs time and games.
“He was injured and could not be there, but step by step he will get it.”
Southampton have enjoyed a mixed start under new manager Nathan Jones, but Guardiola is expecting another difficult game.
“It’s an away game and- it’s always better to play at home,” he said.
“They are in a difficult position. A new manager. We knew with Ralph how we struggled every season.
“They have changed some patterns and movements, that is normal, and we have to adapt and we will try to impose our game.
“We want to reach the semi-final tomorrow.”
City won their last game at St Mary's 4-1, with Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez netting for the Blues. Overall City have won 40 of the 99 games played against the Saints, with 27 draws and 32 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ortega, Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo, Phillips, Gundogan, Palmer, Grealish, Foden, Alvarez
Score prediction: Southampton 1 City 3