Man City line-up vs Southampton predicted as injuries bite and defence reshuffled

Manchester City return to Premier League action on Saturday fresh from a thumping Champions League win over Sparta Prague.

Pep Guardiola's side ran out 5-0 winners at the Etihad to propel themselves up the standings in the newly-expanded European competition. City rang the changes in midweek against the Czech outfit but injuries mean Pep Guardiola is limited in the decisions he can make at the moment.

Rodri is sidelined for the season and Oscar Bobb is also a long term absentee while Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker are not yet fit enough to return. And this week Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku have added to the injury list.

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It means the frontline almost picks itself with Savinho, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden lining up behind Erling Haaland. Mateo Kovacic was given a breather in midweek but will come back into the side alongside Ilkay Gundogan.

In defence, Josko Gvardiol has been a consistent performer and sat out the European victory so will return at left back while Ruben Dias, viewed as a vital cog in this City side by Pep Guardiola, could come back in for John Stones. Rico Lewis will remain at right back in Walker's absence while Manuel Akanji was one of the first names on the teamsheet before his injury and having made a return in midweek, the Switzerland international could stay in the side. Ederson will return for Stefan Ortega in goal.

City predicted XI vs Southampton: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Savinho; Haaland