Chris Sutton makes shock prediction ahead of Man City's clash with Southampton

Manchester City's focus is set on the Premier League this weekend after putting themselves in a strong position in the Champions League in midweek.

The Blues defeated Sparta Prague 5-0 on Wednesday night to put them in a good position to at least qualify for a play-off game next year. It was a routine victory over the Czech side and Pep Guardiola's team will be hoping for more of the same when they face lowly Southampton this afternoon.

Russell Martin's side have yet to win in the Premier League, and City will be sensing a brilliant chance to return to the top of the table, especially considering Arsenal and Liverpool face each other on Sunday. Ahead of this afternoon's match, here is how three Premier League pundits see the game going, including a surprising Erling Haaland prediction from Chris Sutton.

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Paul Merson

Writing in his Sportskeeda column, Merson explained: "I mean, what will the score be in this one? You guess! Southampton will try to play all their fancy stuff and in the end they will get shredded to pieces.

"That's the only outcome, they will get destroyed by Manchester City. I'm being kind to Southampton here.

"Honestly, if Pep Guardiola's team get going this could be any scoreline here."

Merson's prediction - Manchester City 4-0 Southampton

Chris Sutton

Explaining to BBC Sport, Sutton said: "I just don't know how Southampton pick themselves up from last week's defeat by Leicester, and there is only one outcome here. It will be a rearguard action from the off by Saints - but they will end up losing.

"It is a question of how long they can hold out for, and then how many goals Manchester City will score. In the Fantasy Premier League community, everyone is talking about triple captaining Erling Haaland, because he has not scored in his past three league games.

"I'm saying Haaland will not score this week either, but City will score four and keep a clean sheet for the first time in the Premier League since their opening game of the season. They have to stop conceding eventually, surely."

Sutton's prediction - Manchester City 4-0 Southampton

Mark Lawrenson

Speaking to Paddy Power, Lawrenson said: "Another big, easy win for Manchester City. Like Wolves, I hope Southampton stick with Russell Martin because he’s a good manager and they’ve not been far away from getting some results."

Lawrenson's prediction - Manchester City 4-0 Southampton