Manchester City vs Southampton preview: De Bruyne injured, Otamendi and Gundogan doubtful

By Ric Turner, Fri 02 November 2018 17:37


Manchester City vs Southampton preview: De Bruyne injured, Otamendi and Gundogan doubtfulGuardiola expecting difficult game against Mark Hughes' side

Manchester City vs Southampton

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 3.00pm, Sunday 4th November 2018

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: Lee Mason Assistants: M Perry, N Davies Fourth Official: C Kavanagh

Odds: City 1/9, Draw 9/1, Southampton 28/1

Tickets: Available via tickets.mancity.com

TV: Match of the Day (highlights)

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Grimshaw, Muric, Danilo, Kompany, Laporte, Mendy, Otamendi, Stones, Walker, Zinchenko, Delph, Fernandinho, Foden, Mahrez, Sane, B Silva, D Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus

Injured: De Bruyne, Mangala

Doubtful: Otamendi, Gundogan

Suspended: None

Form guide: DWWWW

Southampton

Manager: Mark Hughes

Squad (from): McCarthy, Gunn, Forster, Soares, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand, Jones, Targett, Bednarek, Valery, Davis, Elyounoussi, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Lemina, Redmond, Hojbjerg, Long, Ings, AUstin, Gabbiadini

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: LDLDD

Kevin De Bruyne misses out after suffering a knee ligament injury during the Carabao Cup victory against Fulham, whilst Nicolas Otamendi and Ilkay Gundogan are doubtful.

Southampton have no injury worries of their own to contend with, and Pep Guardiola is expecting a difficult game against Mark Hughes' side.

He said: "I'm impressed with the quality they have up front and especially in the middle.

"They have talented players. They play so deep and so physical.

"It was so hard to beat them and so complicated. We have to be sharp and move well in small spaces and concede few chances in set pieces as they are strong there too.

"They had one week to prepare for this game so it will be tough. We have to be ready to get the three points."

City's last home game against Southampton at The Etihad ended in a 2-1 victory, with Raheem Sterling netting a dramatic late winner for the Blues. Overall City have won 32 of the 88 games played against the Saints, with 25 draws and 31 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Fernandinho, D Silva, B Silva, Sterling, Sane, Aguero

Score prediction: Manchester City 3 Southampton 1