Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side come into the game on the back of a 9-0 defeat at home to Leicester.
The press have been previewing that one - but let’s start with news of Kevin De Bruyne topping the Mail’s Premier League Power Ranking table.
Opinion
The Mail: Which superstar is the new leader in our Premier League Power Rankings?
Jonathan Spencer writes: “Each week throughout the 2019-20 season, Sportsmail will bring you a Power Rankings table, listing the top 10 hottest players in the Premier League.
“As the stories of the season unravel, the rankings will provide a form guide with players moving in and out of the top 10 depending on both their performances in the previous fixtures and also in recent weeks.
“1. Kevin De Bruyne (up one)
“The Belgium goes top of the pile ahead of Mane after putting Villa’s defence to the sword in Saturday’s lunchtime kick off at the Etihad. He once again made Guardiola‘s side tick to keep the pressure on title rivals Liverpool.
“De Bruyne pulled the strings once again for City and played a huge role as they broke 2-0 clear, swinging in a dangerous low cross which appeared to evade everyone, except David Silva who got the slightest of touches onto the ball to claim the goal.
“The 28-year-old has an incredible nine assists already in the top-flight - that’s five clear of anyone else. It’s Southampton up next for City in the Premier League and you wouldn’t put it past him to add to his tally.”
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Match previews
Evening Standard: City v Southampton: Carabao Cup preview
Tom Doyle writes: “Fernandinho‘s late red card in Saturday’s win over Aston Villa leaves Guardiola short at centre-back, with Aymeric Laporte and Rodri also out.
“Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leroy Sane are also out for the hosts.
“Man City predicted lineup (4-3-3): Bravo, Walker, Otamendi, Garcia, Angelino, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Foden, David Silva, Mahrez, Aguero”
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Player quotes
Riyad Mahres says: “His [Pep’s] concern was about my work-rate first, because at Leicester it was more of a team rate where we were trying to counter.
“Whereas at City it’s more about pressing and a very high effort and intensity.
“It’s taken me some time to have it myself and to put it in my head and game, but I think now it’s good.
“I didn’t think I needed the adaptation until I came here and started training.
“It’s more about the adaptation of the game and of the partnership with the players and again it took me some time as well.
“I arrived at a team that was champions, so it was a bit different for me. But I’ve changed as a player I know and improved.
“My work-rate [has improved]. How I analyse the game, such as where is the space, when to try to dribble and to not. This type of thing.”
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg says: “If there is one saying it’s, ‘Tough periods make tough people’
“I can try and say something, but it won’t change anything. I don’t want to speak, I want to show by action. I don’t care who is coming up. Our actions have to speak.
“We never want to be in this position again or anywhere near it. We have to get back up and make sure this never happens again.
“We can put quotes out, apologise and say something, but the only thing that’s the real deal now is actions.
“Actions that are nowhere near what they were against Leicester. We can never show our faces like this again.”
That’s all for this morning’s media roundup – but stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest ahead of tonight’s game against Southampton.
And, don’t forget, we will be bringing you minute-by-minute updates on our Matchday Centre right here on mancity.com and via our Man City app.
