Manchester City vs Southampton: Premier League Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Dream11 Predictions

Manchester City vs Southampton is the upcoming Matchday 8, Premier League match on Saturday evening.

Date, kick-off time and Venue:

Manchester City vs Southampton is scheduled for a 7:30 pm IST kick-off time on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

The Etihad Stadium in Manchester will host the match.

Manchester City vs Southampton: Match Preview

Manchester City could momentarily go top of the Premier League table with a win over a struggling Southampton side at the Etihad.

Manchester City are rightly regarded as title favourites despite sitting behind league leaders Arsenal. Pep Guardiola's men must keep up their momentum when they host Southampton at the Etihad. Their record against the Saints last season wasn't very good, managing draws on both ocassions.

"An important fixture" 💪💬#ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/fBF0N4CJU8

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 7, 2022

Man City were in relentless form last weekend, dispatching local rivals Manchester United 6-3 at the Etihad. In doing so, Guardiola witnessed Phil Foden and Erling Haaland score respective hattricks. They have since taken that prolific form into Europe, dispatching Copenhagen 5-0 at the Etihad.

Haaland was on the scoresheet, scoring a brace before halftime as he took his tally to 19 goals across all competitions. The important thing for Man City is to maintain their momentum and get three points to top the table on Saturday. Their position could again change on Sunday if Arsenal can beat Liverpool.

Their opponents for the weekend are a struggling Southampton side. Their manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl, is under tremendous pressure ahead of this fixture, with his side languishing in the 16th position.

The Saints suffered their third successive defeat last weekend to Everton, relaying questions regarding the Austrian's future.

Team News:

Manchester City:

The news around the injury front are mixed for Guardiola to contend with. Kyle Walker underwent groin surgery, which would keep him out for the next months. The right-back is in real danger of missing the World Cup. Meanwhile, the manager would be glad to welcome Rodri back into the fold after the midfielder missed the Manchester Derby last weekend.

Kalvin Philipps and John Stones are the other absentees, although Guardiola has sufficient cover in the squad to paper over their absences. Rodri's return could allow the manager to play a more fluid lineup against Southampton, which puts Ilkay Gundogan's place at risk.

Back to work! 💪 pic.twitter.com/0HItGOfnmu

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 6, 2022

Guardiola could reinstate Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva in midfield at the expense of the German. Jack Grealish could continue in the front three. Erling Haaland is the obvious choice to lead the line, with Phil Foden, who was rested for midweek, also starting in the attack.

Ruben Dias could return to the starting Lineup, and Manuel Akanji could drop out. The Portuguese defender will likely have Nathan Ake as his centre-back partner. Walker's absence could allow Sergio Gomez an extended run in the side at left-back, with Joao Cancelo moving to the opposite flank.

Southampton:

Hasenhuttl will have to make do without Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento for this clash, as the duo remains out with injuries. The latter is out for the long term with an ACL problem, while the former suffers from a muscular issue.

The Southampton manager could yet make several changes to the team. He could bring in Mohamed Salisu, Romain Perraud and Adam Armstrong back into the side for the Man City trip. Juan Larios and Sam Edozie are also pushing for starts against their former sides, while Gavin Bazunu will certainly start between the posts for the Saints.

🎶 Prowsey and Joe Aribo 🎶 pic.twitter.com/7UK9beYFuz

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) October 6, 2022

Hasenhuttl could keep his midfield paring of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and captain James Ward-Prowse intact. He could decide on including Duje Caleta-Car in central defence, but he has options even without last weekend's debutant.

Adam Armstrong will likely lead the line and will have an attacking setup comprising Mohamed Elyounoussi, Aribo and Stuart Armstrong behind him.

Manchester City vs Southampton: Head to Head:

This will be the 99th meeting between the two teams across competitions, with their first taking place in the FA Cup in 1910. City have dominated proceedings against the visitors, winning 39 times.

Southampton also have a respectable 32 wins, thanks to their dominance in the erstwhile Division One. The remaining 27 games between them have ended in draws.

By any means 😅 pic.twitter.com/TvHyGWJlZw

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) October 7, 2022

Key Stats:

• Man City have won 29 of their last 36 matches in the Premier League.
• Man City have scored at least 3 goals in their last 8 home matches in the Premier League.
• Man City are undefeated in their last 13 home matches against Southampton in all competitions.
• Southampton have lost by a 1 goal margin in their last 3 matches in the Premier League.
• Southampton have lost 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Premier League.

Predicted Line-ups:

Manchester City Predicted Lineup (4-3-3) – Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Gomez; De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva; Foden, Haaland, Grealish

Southampton Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Perraud; Ward-Prowse, Maitland-Niles; Elyounoussi, Aribo, S.Armstrong; A.Armstrong

MCI vs SOU: Dream11 Predictions: