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How Manchester City could line up against Southampton

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester City could line up for their Premier League showdown with Southampton on Sunday.

Manchester City begin the final six games of their Premier League campaign with a trip to St Mary's to take on Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

While it certainly does not make up for being dethroned as champions of England, the City faithful would have been enraptured by their side's 4-0 drubbing of Liverpool on Thursday as Pep Guardiola's men condemned the holders to just their second league defeat of the season.

The Citizens are all but assured of their second-placed finish in the top flight and can now turn their attention to their FA Cup and Champions League campaigns, but Guardiola will not want his players to rest on their laurels as the Premier League season draws to a close.

With that in mind, Sports Mole looks at how City could line up for the clash with Southampton on Sunday.



POSS MNCXI vs. SOU

Out: Sergio Aguero (knee)
Doubtful: None

> Click here for Manchester City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

The infamous Pep rotation is likely to strike again as City contend with a hectic fixture schedule, but Guardiola may be reluctant to make too many changes to the team that swept aside Liverpool with ease in midweek.

Sergio Aguero is the only confirmed absentee for the Citizens, who will also welcome Fernandinho back to the team after the Brazilian served a two-game suspension.

Fernandinho could come straight back into the starting XI alongside Aymeric Laporte in the heart of defence, and Guardiola has plenty of options in the full-back positions should he look to rest Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy.

Indeed, Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko may be given the opportunity to feature from the first whistle, while Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne are expected to keep their places in the midfield three.

Phil Foden's performances have given every England fan a reason to get excited for future international competitions, and the 20-year-old's starring role against Liverpool should see him rewarded with another start against Southampton.

Up top, Riyad Mahrez is in line to feature on the right-hand side with Raheem Sterling occupying the left flank, and while Gabriel Jesus failed to find the back of the net against Liverpool, the Brazilian is expected to spearhead the attack in Aguero's absence once again.

However, Bernardo Silva is another option up front for Guardiola - with the Portuguese having been utilised as a false nine against Chelsea and capable of playing in a number of roles in the final third.

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Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne pictured on June 17, 2020
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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