Southampton v Manchester City: match preview

Manchester City have won 12 league matches in succession and, in such irresistible form, look very likely to make it 13 at Southampton. A swathe of pundits believe City need to sign a striker before the window closes and possibly this would help Pep Guardiola finally get over the line in the Champions League, but domestically they are cruising to glory without the frivolities of an out-and-out No 9. In the process they are making the rest of the top flight rather red-faced as no one seems able to stop City’s Rube Goldberg goal machine. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side will need to be supremely focussed from the off and that’s just to avoid a thrashing. Graham Searles

Saturday 5.30m Sky Sports Premier League

Venue St Mary’s Stadium

Last season Southampton 0 Manchester City 1

Referee Simon Hooper

This season G7 Y23 R0 3.29 cards/game

Odds H 23-2 A 3-10 D 11-2

SOUTHAMPTON

Subs from Lewis, Stephens, Long, A Armstrong, Small, S Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Valery, Walcott

Doubtful Walcott (Covid), Elyounoussi (Covid)

Injured McCarthy (hamstring, Feb), Smallbone (calf, Feb), Livramento (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Unavailable Djenepo (Africa Cup of Nations)

Discipline Y41 R2

Form LDWDWL

Leading scorer Ward-Prowse 6

MANCHESTER CITY

Subs from Steffen, Carson, Palmer, Fernandinho, Aké, Mbete, Delap, Jesus, Egan-Riley, Wilson-Ebrand, Lavia, McAtee, Gündogan, Laporte

Doubtful Delap (match fitness)

Injured None

Suspended None

Unavailable Mahrez (rest after Africa Cup of Nations)

Discipline Y30 R1

Form WWWWWW

Leading scores Silva, Sterling 7