This is the predicted lineup for Manchester City’s Premier League game against Southampton. The Citizens will be heavy favourites heading into Saturday’s match as they are currently the in-form team in the English top flight. The Saints will be hoping to pick up at least a point, meaning that they will no longer be tied with Derby County for the fewest points scored in a Premier League season.
Manchester City Predicted Lineup vs Southampton
How Manchester City Have Lined Up Recently
Ederson returned to the starting XI against Wolverhampton Wanderers after the Brazilian had missed the last three games due to injury.
Pep Guardiola named the same back four that he has played more often than not since the March international break, as Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol continued their strong partnership in the centre of defence.
Matheus Nunes started at right-back with youngster Nico O’Reilly on the left-hand-side of defence. The 20-year-old struggled at the start of the second half and was replaced by Manuel Akanji after 58 minutes.
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After being rested for the FA Cup semi-final, Ilkay Gundogan reclaimed his place in the starting XI with Rico Lewis dropping to the bench. Bernardo Silva and Matteo Kovacic made up the rest of City’s three-man midfield.
Omar Marmoush retained his place in the side, but he was moved to the right flank instead of the left, where he had largely played over the last few games.
This was to accommodate the inclusion of Jeremy Doku, who took Savinho’s place in the team, on the left wing. After a rare start for Jack Grealish at Wembley, he too was replaced by Kevin De Bruyne, who played as City’s false nine.
Manchester City’s Recent Form and Tactics
Although City have not been at their free-flowing best recently, the run they have been on since the March international break has seen them produce some of the most consistent results they have all season.
The key to this form has been their newfound defensive solidity. The back four of Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol and O’Reilly are still yet to concede a goal from open play.
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City have moved into third place in the Premier League thanks to this good run of form and they have taken command of the race for Champions League qualification.
In fact, a second-placed finish is not off the cards. Guardiola’s men sit just three points behind Arsenal, who still have to play Liverpool and Newcastle before the end of the season.
The Catalan has adopted a 4-3-3 system with a false nine in recent weeks, taking advantage of Omar Marmoush’s excellent work rate by using him as a winger out of possession but allowing him to drift inside when City have the ball.
Manchester City Injuries to Consider
There have been a number of positive injury updates coming out of the Etihad Campus over the past few days.
City’s talisman, Erling Haaland, returned to training earlier this week, and Guardiola confirmed that the Norwegian was fit and available to start on Saturday.
Additionally, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, young superstar Oscar Bobb and centre-back Nathan Ake all returned to first-team training this week. Unfortunately, none of the trio will be available to start against the Saints.
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There was no update on John Stones, who has been absent since mid-February after he limped off eight minutes into City’s Champions League Knockout Round second-leg against Real Madrid.
After he was omitted from City’s FA Cup semi-final matchday squad without explanation, James McAtee returned to the bench against Wolves.
Manchester City Predicted Lineup
GK: Ederson
RB: Matheus Nunes
CB: Ruben Dias
CB: Josko Gvardiol
LB: Nico O’Reilly
DM: Nico Gonzalez
CM: Ilkay Gundogan
CM: Matteo Kovacic
RW: Savinho
LW: Omar Marmoush
CF: Kevin De Bruyne
