The City boss has handed David Silva a rest, with the Spaniard making way for Ilkay Gundogan, who is set for his first Premier League start of the season.
And Leroy Sane, who has been in fine form this season, isn’t fully fit and is replaced by Gabriel Jesus.
Oleksandr Zinchenko keeps his place in the 18, with Brahim Diaz joining him on the bench, while John Stones and Benjamin Mendy remain unavailable with hamstring and knee injuries, respectively. Phil Foden is not fully fit and doesn’t make the squad.
City are currently on an 18-match winning run, which is a Club record, and another three points tonight would see us re-establish an eight-point lead over second-placed Manchester United in the Premier League table.
City team
Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph; Fernandinho, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Sterling, Jesus, Agueo.
Subs: Bravo, Danilo, Mangala, Bernado, Silva, Zinchenko, Diaz
Tactics
Guardiola has paired Aguero and Jesus together upfront, although don’t be surprised to see the Brazilian drifting out to the left in the absence of Sane.
Vincent Kompany is once again paired alongside Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the defence, with Kyle Walker and Fabian Delph charged with getting forward and providing width.
Fernandinho will hold, a role he has fulfilled brilliantly this term, with Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne given licence to create.
As ever, Guardiola’s side will be fluid. One thing seems very likely, though: expect goals. And if Aguero is on the scoresheet, it will be his 100th at the Etihad.
Southampton team
Starting XI: Forster, Cédric, Yoshida, van Dijk, Hoedt, Bertrand, Højbjerg, Romeu, Lemina, Redmond, Long.
Subs: McCarthy, McQueen, Boufal, Tadić, Austin, Davis, Gabbiadini.
