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What’s at stake?
Both teams are looking to bounce back from midweek disappointment in Europe, with City losing 4-0 away to Barcelona in the Champions League, ahead of Saints suffering a 1-0 defeat at Inter in the Europa League.
Despite the frustration of not emerging from the San Siro with anything, Saints will still be aiming to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to five matches.
City, on the other hand, have picked up just one point from their previous two games in the top-flight – that bump in the road coming after they had won their opening six.
Still, Pep Guardiola’s side start the weekend at the top of the table and will be keen to make sure they haven’t relinquished that by the end of it.
For Saints, they head into the weekend eighth in the league and in a position where a victory could potentially lift as high as sixth.
Team news
Manchester City: Like Southampton, City have some injury issues at full-back ahead of this game. Pablo Zabaleta will miss Sunday’s fixture, while fellow right-back Bacary Sagna is also sidelined through injury. Centre-back Vincent Kompany is also a doubt.
Southampton: Saints are set to be without striker Shane Long, after he suffered a hamstring injury in Thursday’s game against Inter. Additionally, full-backs Cédric, Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett are all doubts, while Claude Puel will hope to have Nathan Redmond available, after he missed the trip to the San Siro with a minor knock.
Form guide
Manchester City’s last five:
Barcelona (a) L 0-4 (Champions League)
Everton (h) D 1-1
Tottenham (a) L 0-2
Celtic (a) D 3-3 (Champions League)
Swansea City (a) W 3-1
Southampton’s last five:
Internazionale (a) L 0-1 (Europa League)
Burnley (h) W 3-1
Leicester (a) D 0-0
Hapoel Be’er Sheva (a) D 0-0 (Europa League)
West Ham (a) W 3-0
Top performers
Once again, Sergio Agüero leads the way for City in the goal charts, having netted nine across all competitions already this season. The forward was only named among the substitutes for the Champions League defeat in the Nou Camp earlier this week, but could return to the line-up against Saints, who will also need to be wary of the creative David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, who each have four assists this term.
Top scorer: Sergio Agüero (9)
Most assists: David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne (4)
If Agüero has again been in fine goalscoring form this season for City, Saints have also had their own impressive marksman in Charlie Austin, who was unfortunate not to add to his tally of seven goals when he came off the bench against Inter on Thursday.
Top scorer: Charlie Austin (7)
Most assists: Six players (1)
Previous meetings
All-time record:
Played: 84
Manchester City: 29
Draws: 24
Southampton: 31
Last four meetings:
Did you know?
Saints have lost their last five league visits to Etihad Stadium, with their most recent win coming in April 2004, as a Kevin Phillips brace and James Beattie goal gave them a 3-1 win.
Shane Long has netted four Premier League goals against City – Aston Villa is the only team he has scored more against, with six.
Dušan Tadić has created 28 chances in the Premier League this season, which is more than any other player in the top-flight.
Not at the game?
Don’t forget, you can follow all the action via our new Matchday Live Centre on southamptonfc.com, which also features FREE live commentary.
Additionally, we will also be offering plenty of updates and behind-the-scenes access on our social channels. You can follow us on them here:
– Twitter
– Facebook
– Snapchat
– Instagram
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