Manchester City vs Southampton. Premier League.
Etihad StadiumAttendance54,102.
Saturday 28 November 2015 15:24, UK
Ronald Koeman's Southampton visit Manchester City on Saturday without top scorer Graziano Pelle, although they face a home side who are without a win in three matches.
Wednesday's defeat in Turin was City's fifth of the season in all competitions, and follows a disappointing draw at strugglers Aston Villa and a humbling 4-1 home loss to Liverpool.
City found themselves three down inside 32 minutes against Jurgen Klopp's side, but their opponents this weekend will be missing their most potent goal threat. Koeman is set to turn to Shane Long, who will deputise for Pelle after the striker picked up his fifth booking of the campaign against Stoke.
Their 1-0 defeat by the Potters ended a run of three consecutive wins for the Saints, but they have bounced back well following a slow start to the season.
Koeman has had to deal with speculation regarding key man Sadio Mane this week, but the Southampton manager is adamant the in-demand Senegal international will remain at the club.
Team news
City will be missing goalkeeper Joe Hart (hamstring), who faces around 10 days out. Willy Caballero will take his place and former England international Richard Wright will come onto the bench nine years after his last top-flight appearance.
David Silva (ankle) is fit after nine games out and striker Wilfried Bony (hamstring) is also available, but captain Vincent Kompany (calf), fellow defenders Pablo Zabaleta (knee) and Eliaquim Mangala (hamstring), and midfielder Samir Nasri (leg) are out.
Long featured as one of three advanced midfielders supporting Pelle for Southampton last weekend, but should now have the chance to lead the line at the Etihad Stadium in the absence of the Italy international.
Mane should be fit to feature in behind Long as Koeman aims to keep faith with his 4-2-3-1 formation.
Opta stats
Raheem Sterling has scored in three of his five league games against Southampton, and the Saints have won just one of the last eight top flight matches against City (D2 L5).
Koeman's side have won just two of their last 13 league games away from St Mary's (D5 L6), but they are unbeaten on the road this season (W2 D4).
City have allowed fewer shots on target against them than any other team in the league this season (37), but their opponents have allowed the fewest shots on target from inside the penalty area (26).
Pellegrini's side have won just three of their last eight league games (W3 D2 L3), but City haven't lost back-to-back games at home in the top flight since December 2008.
Merson's prediction
This will be a really good game. Southampton were flying along, going well, and then got beat at home to Stoke. Same for City, who got beat by Liverpool, that's the Premier League this season.
I'm going to go for City, but I wouldn't be shocked if this was a draw. I think Sergio Aguero will be the difference now and going forward for City.
If Southampton hadn't lost last week, I'd be going for them to get at least a draw here, but it did show some of their flaws against Stoke, and there's still a lot of work to be done.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
City are Sky Bet's 8/15 favourites for the victory with Southampton up against odds of 9/2 for the win, and at 100/30 to leave the Etihad Stadium with a point.
Pellegrini's men are considered 11/8 favourites to win the Premier League despite winning just three of their last nine games, while the Saints drifted out to 14/1 for a top-four finish following their defeat last weekend.
Aguero is the 3/1 favourite to score first with Long considered the visitors' biggest threat at 9/1. St Mary's legend Matt Le Tissier is pessimistic of his side's chances for once, backing Man City to win 2-0 at 13/2 in his Sky Bet tips.
