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Match preview
Will Manchester City move top of the Premier League table, for 25 hours or so at least?
Last Sunday witnessed the highest-scoring Manchester derby of all time, with the Citizens 4-0 up at half time, eventually prevailing 6-3.
Phil Foden and Erling Braut Håland bagged hat-tricks, the latter notching his third treble in as many home games.
A week ago, just two Man City players had ever scored hat-tricks in derbies; Horace Barnes (1921) and Francis Lee (1970).
Despite their rampant form, Pep Guardiola’s team are actually second in the Premier League, one point behind Arsenal.
In the Champions League meanwhile, there’s nobody above them in Group G, with Man City on maximum points.
At home, Guardiola’s team have won all six matches this season, scoring 27 goals, with this one set to go the same way.
Southampton meanwhile are like the proverbial box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.
They took the lead at home to Everton last weekend but, six minutes later, were 2-1 down and that’s all she wrote.
Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team ended August by beating Chelsea, deservedly so too, but have lost all three matches since.
The Saints actually drew 0-0 at the Etihad last year, but are winless in 13 visits, dating back to 2004.
Anything other than an emphatic home win would be a major surprise.
Manchester City team news
Pep Guardiola named an incredibly attacking line-up on Wednesday, featuring a midfield pairing of Bernardo Silva and İlkay Gündoğan.
Rodri was back on the bench and will start if Guardiola sees Southampton as more of a threat that København.
Sergio Gómez will keep his place at full-back, given that Kyle Walker is sidelined.
Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden watched on from the bench in mid-week, but will surely return here.
Erling Braut Håland ha scored a hat-trick in his last three Premier League home games; he can’t do it again, can he?
Southampton team news
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios and Samuel Edozie could all face the club they left this summer, although only the former is a certainty to start.
The same would be said about Roméo Lavia, but he’s suffered a hamstring injury.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles made his full Saints debut last weekend and will continue at the base of midfield.
New centre-back duo Duje Ćaleta-Car and Armel Bella-Kotchap started together for the first time against Everton and will need to be at their very best here.
