- Ptolemy Horner
Preview: Everything you need to know, Predicted XI – Southampton vs Manchester City
Manchester City head to Southampton tomorrow evening after thumping Liverpool 4-1 last time out. The Blues will have a chance to close the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal, who face a difficult test in Liverpool on Sunday. The 17:30 (BST) fixture is live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
Team News
Following his absence against Liverpool, Erling Haaland is back in training with the rest of the team.
In his pre-match press conference, Pep Guardiola said:
"He trained the last two days, really good. He will be ready."
The full squad trained as normal, apart from Phil Foden, who is still out following his surgery to remove his appendix.
Predicted XI:
Ederson, Stones, Akanji, Dias, Ake, De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan, Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
Opposition
Following the sack of Nathan Jones in February, Ruben Selles has been put in charge for the rest of the season. His first game after taking over was a 1-0 victory away at Chelsea, but they have since struggled to pick up points. Despite the lack of results for Selles' side, Guardiola has said it won't be easy:
"It's tough and I have a feeling tomorrow won't be an exception."
After a disappointing defeat away to West Ham last time out, Southampton sit rock bottom of a tight Premier League table, four points adrift from teams outside of the relegation zone. Although it looks glum for the Saints, it's still all to play for, as the bottom nine are split by just seven points.
Injury woes for Southampton mean that Mohammed Salisu and Che Adams will miss the contest, with former City Academy player Juan Larios missing out with a long-term injury along with Tino Livramento. Unsure whether Bella-Kotchap will be fit for the game, Selles has said, 'Armel is still a question for us'.
However, it is a chance for Romeo Lavia to face his former club once more, as he starred in a 2-0 victory over the Blues in the EFL Cup back in January.
Head-to-Head
Played: 100
Won: 40
Drawn: 27
Lost: 33
The last time the two sides faced each other was in the EFL Cup in January, which saw Southampton take a 2-0 victory over Guardiola's side.
However, in the reverse fixture in the Premier League, the Blues dismantled Southampton 4-0.
City will look to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal as they play on Sunday away to Liverpool, but Southampton will look to put up a strong fight as they aim for safety in the Premier League.
Officials
Referee: Robert Jones
Assistants: Ian Hussin & Marc Perry
Fourth Official: Craig Pawson
VAR: John Brooks
Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard
Written by: @Ptolemy04 Follow our Twitter account for reliable, live updates on all the latest news and everything Manchester City in real time.