Manchester City vs. Southampton: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Manchester City will be out to end a run of four games without a win on Sunday, as they welcome Southampton to the Etihad Stadium.

After a roaring start to the season under new manager Pep Guardiola, City have seen their momentum slowly slip away in recent weeks. A chastening 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in midweek yielded more concerns, although they’ll be expected to preserve their spot at the top of the Premier League with a win at the weekend.

Southampton also had continental commitments in midweek, as they lost 1-0 to Inter Milan in the UEFA Europa League. However, domestically, Claude Puel’s team are in fine form, having won three and drawn one of their last four.

Here’s a look at how the sides are shaping up for this one, where you can catch the action and how the game will likely pan out at the Etihad.

Date: Sunday, October 23

Time: 1:30 p.m. BST/8:30 a.m. ET

TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), NBC Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Go (U.K), NBCSN (U.S.)

Team News

For City, the key decision facing Guardiola is whether to recall Sergio Aguero to the side, the Argentina international having been benched for the team’s last two matches. Pablo Zabaleta is out of contention, having picked up an injury in the clash with Barca, per the City Twitter feed.

Meanwhile, Southampton have problems in defence, with Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares likely to miss out, while Matt Targett is also doubtful after coming off against Burnley, per the club's Twitter account. Shane Long hobbled out of their match against Inter in midweek, too, and it's been confirmed he'll miss this one.

Likely City XI: Claudio Bravo; John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany; Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling; Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Sergio Aguero

Likel Southampton XI: Fraser Forster; Cuco Martina, Virgil van Dijk, Jose Fonte, Sam McQueen; Oriol Romeu, Steven Davis, Jordy Clasie, Dusan Tadic; Charlie Austin, Nathan Redmond

Preview

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Although talk of a crisis at the Etihad may be a little premature, the impetus the team had in the early stages of the season has faded, and Guardiola will need to galvanise his players for this one.

In their last Premier League game, City were a little unlucky, too, as they were thwarted by a stunning performance between the sticks from Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Typically, the kind of display they turned in on the day would warrant a win.

Given Aguero has been benched for the last two matches, it would seem a simple decision to bring him back into the XI. Goal’s Harry Sherlock is unsure of the logic behind leaving the Argentina international out:

According to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, the striker is no longer considered a surefire starter at the Etihad, although on home soil, with three points needed, it would be a bold choice not to recall him.

Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Southampton would be delighted to see Aguero on the bench again, although Puel’s side will feel confident of adding to City’s plight.

After all, they’ve settled into a positive groove lately. Austin is among the goals, Romeu is pulling the strings in midfield and Tadic has been a menacing creative presence. However, the key man this season has been Van Dijk; Agence France Presse’s Kieran Canning rates the Dutch international very highly indeed:

Van Dijk, Fonte and Forster will have to be at their absolute best if Southampton are to take anything from this one. Regardless of their recent form, City will pin the visitors back for long spells and probe meticulously through men like De Bruyne and Silva. Resisting that pressure will take a momentous defensive effort.

After a trip to the San Siro on Thursday, and with both of their first-choice full-backs potentially sitting this one out, it’s unlikely Saints have that kind of display in them.

City, smarting after their midweek humbling, will be out to set the record straight here and will get back to winning ways.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Southampton