Manchester City return to the Premier League this weekend when they play host to Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.

The reigning English champions are coming off a 5-0 thrashing of Sparta Prague in the UEFA Champions League. City’s seven points from a possible nine in the revamped league stage ranks only second, behind Aston Villa and Liverpool.

In the Premier League, City are in second place after eight games played with 20 points, just one point behind Arne Slot’s Liverpool. Pep Guardiola’s team managed to squeak past Wolverhampton Wanderers with another late goal from John Stones after a narrow victory over Fulham.

However, all that matters to Guardiola are the three points City are expected to claim against the Saints. With Rodri out for the rest of the season and youngster Oscar Bobb still recovering from a broken leg, the likes of Jérémy Doku and Jack Grealish recently joined the crowded injury room in the City camp.

Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne is nearing a return to action and veteran defender Kyle Walker is expected to miss the coming weeks with a thigh injury.

This is how City could line up against Southampton at home.

GK: Ederson—The experienced shot-stopper returns to the mix after Guardiola rested him in favor of Stefan Ortega in the midweek win.

RB: Rico Lewis—The 19-year-old will start again on the right side of the backline with Walker out due to injury.

CB: John Stones—Stones has impressed in front of goal despite being a centre-back with a goal in two consecutive games. Guardiola will be hoping his side don’t need another late goal from him in a match they should win comfortably.

CB: Ruben Dias—Dias came into action late in the second half against Sparta Prague and should be fit to start next weekend.

LB: Joško Gvardiol-Guardiola gives the Croatian defender the nod at left back after Nathan Aké played most of the midweek match in his return from injury.

DM: Matheus NunesNunes played the full 90 minutes in the Champions League win and Guardiola may have no choice but to start him again given the injury situation and the impression he made in the win.

DM: Mateo Kovačić—The ex-Chelsea player appears from the jump and sits just in front of the back line.

RW: Phil FodenFoden could start anywhere in the final third, outside the striker, and Guardiola could deploy him wide on the right with Savinho on the other flank.

AM: İlkay Gündoğan—The former Germany international takes on the number 10 role for City as De Bruyne looks set for a return to action.

LW: SavinhoAlthough Savinho usually starts on the right wing, he is likely to start on the left wing as he aims to drive towards the byline and deliver crosses with his favored left foot.

ST: Erling Haaland—After two goals in the Champions League, Haaland is in the lead as he hopes to find the back of the net in the Premier League for the first time in more than a month.

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