Man City vs. Southampton: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
After a run of three games without a win, Manchester City know they need a victory in Saturday’s match at home to Southampton to get their season back on track.
City lost to Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend and Juventus on Tuesday in the Champions League. They have lost top spot in both the Premier League and Champions League Group D. It’s been a poor week for Manuel Pellegrini and his side.
Southampton arrive at the Etihad in 8th position, seven points behind the Blues, having lost their last league game at home to Stoke City. That defeat was only their second in their last 11 Premier League matches.
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If Ronald Koeman’s side avoid defeat, they will equal their top-flight record for the most consecutive away games without losing.
Date: Saturday, November 28
Kick-off: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET
TV Listings: NBCSN, NBC UNIVERSO, Westwood One Sports, SiriusXM FC, NBC Sports Live Extra (USA)
Live Stream:
"Global City... 🌍 See which broadcasters are showing #cityvsaints around the world: https://t.co/AVdglXsJ5i #mcfc pic.twitter.com/X1BTl0pdeq
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 27, 2015"
Form Guide (Last five results)
City
Juventus 1-0 City
City 1-4 Liverpool
Aston Villa 0-0 City
Sevilla 1-3 City (Champions League)
City 2-1 Norwich City
Southampton
Southampton 0-1 Stoke City
Sunderland 0-1 Southampton
Southampton 2-0 Bournemouth
Southampton 2-1 Aston Villa (League Cup)
Liverpool 1-1 Southampton
"Steven Davis says #SaintsFC need to get back to their best as soon as possible – https://t.co/JMHpRzKJDl pic.twitter.com/1uBB4qLbdT
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 27, 2015"
Predicted Formations
City
Pellegrini welcomes back David Silva from an ankle injury. The Spaniard has missed City's last nine matches. Wilfried Bony, too, is available again. However, Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Eliaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri are all out.
"'The opinions about me I respect the most are those of the #mcfc fans' says @21LVA Read:: https://t.co/zRpxLfM1L4 pic.twitter.com/f8blsiKmXs
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 27, 2015"
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
Southampton
Graziano Pelle is serving a one-match suspension, and Fraser Forster (knee), Florin Gardos (knee) and Jay Rodriguez (ankle) are all out through injury.
"Watch our chat with @RonaldKoeman ahead of #SaintsFC's game against #MCFC tomorrow – https://t.co/QlZpjsoHfr https://t.co/mlSw3v5nbp
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 27, 2015"
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Soares, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Clasie, Wanyama; Davis, Mane, Tadic; Long
Players To Watch
City: David Silva
After nine games on the sidelines, Silva should return to the City lineup for the game with Southampton.
The Premier League's finest player has been a huge miss for City. He's one of the game's great creators, the man who orchestrates all of the Blues' best moments, floating into pockets of space and looking to make chances for those around him. It's all done with effortless beauty.
He'll get a huge reception from the home fans.
Southampton: Shane Long
In the absence of top scorer Pelle, Shane Long will need to provide some quality in the striking department for Saints.
Long is a decent enough player. He perhaps lacks a killer instinct, but he works hard and possesses good strength.
City's defence has looked somewhat depleted and tired in recent matches; with Long likely to try and pull the Blues centre-backs out of position, it could be a difficult afternoon for them.
Key Battle:
Sergio Aguero vs. Virgil van Dijk
Having played close to an hour against Liverpool and then close to 70 minutes against Juventus, Sergio Aguero's recovery from injury is now in full swing. We should see a player nearing full match sharpness in Saturday's match.
And when Aguero is fit, there's no better striker in the Premier League. His pace and movement beguile the best of defenders.
Virgil van Dijk, the Southampton centre-back charged with stopping Aguero, has been in excellent form in recent weeks.
He moved to St Mary's from Celtic in the summer and made a poor start with a shocking performance in his second match for the club against Manchester United. Since then, it's been a steady rise.
He's quick, strong and alert, and as he's adapted to his new surroundings, he's begun to flourish.
It should be a fine battle.
Odds
City: -250
Southampton: +550
Draw: +400
"Aleks Kolarov fronts the #cityvsaints official match programme. Pick up your copy at the game tomorrow! #mcfc pic.twitter.com/NiAIZtX35N
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 27, 2015"
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.
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