Erling Haaland returns to the team after missing last Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
The City striker, who has 42 goals this season including 28 in the Premier League, returns after missing last week’s win as well as Norway’s two European Championship qualifiers during the international break.
Haaland replaces Julian Alvarez who drops to the bench.
Line-ups
SOUTHAMPTON XI: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Maitland-Niles, Alcaraz, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Elyounoussi, Walcott, Sulemana.
Subs: McCarthy, Caleta-Car, Onuachu, Perraud, Armstrong, Mara, Djenepo, Edozie, Diallo.
CITY XI: Ederson, Stones, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan (c), Mahrez, Grealish, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Phillips, Laporte, Alvarez, Bernardo Silva, Gomez, Palmer, Lewis
Formation
Pep Guardiola looks likes he will stick with the same system that was so successful against Liverpool last weekend.
That would see John Stones continue in his hybrid role as a right-back and midfielder with Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake moving into a back-three.
Stones will also move into midfield alongside Rodrigo allowing Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne to push forward to support the front-three.
Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez will continue as wide wingers after stretching Liverpool’s backline so impressively last week with Haaland as the central striker.
Last time out
Attacking trio
Since the Premier League restarted after the World Cup in December, Haaland, Mahrez and Grealish are the players that have been most involved in Premier League goals for City.
Haaland leads the way with 12 involvements followed by Mahrez with nine and Grealish just one behind.
The latter is yet to score in consecutive matches for City but has continued to increase his threat at that end of the pitch with 12 goal involvements in all competitions this season.
Southampton meanwhile have kept just one clean sheet in the Premier League this season.
Milestones & Stats
Kevin De Bruyne is one assist from becoming the quickest player to 100 Premier League assists. If he does it in this match, it will have taken him 237 games. That is 56 quicker than previous record holder Cesc Fabregas (293).
He registered his 99th Premier League assist in the 4-1 win over Liverpool. He is looking to become the fifth player to assist 100+ goals, along with Ryan Giggs (162), Fabregas (111), Wayne Rooney (103) and Frank Lampard (102).
Southampton have only won one of their last 13 Premier League matches against City - a 1-0 home win in July 2020.
City have won four of their last six away Premier League games against Southampton although we drew 1-1 last season at St Mary’s.
