Manchester City return to the Premier League and host Southampton at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

The reigning English champions made it into the UEFA Champions League after a 5-0 win against Sparta Prague. With seven out of nine possible points, City is only in second place in the new league phase behind Aston Villa and Liverpool.

In the Premier League, City are second in the table with 20 points after eight games played, just one point behind Arne Slots Liverpool. Pep Guardiola’s team beat Wolverhampton Wanderers after a narrow win against Fulham thanks to another late goal from John Stones.

For Guardiola, however, only three points count, which City is expected to get against the Saints. With Rodri out for the rest of the season and youngster Oscar Bobb still recovering from a broken leg, players such as Jérémy Doku and Jack Grealish have recently joined the crowded injury room at the City camp.

Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne is close to returning to action and experienced defender Kyle Walker is expected to be out for the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.

This is how City could play at home against Southampton.

GK: Ederson– The veteran goalkeeper returns to action after Guardiola rested him in favor of Stefan Ortega in the midweek win.

RB: Rico Lewis– The 19-year-old will once again start on the right side of the defensive line as Walker is out due to injury.

CB: John Stones—Stones has impressed in front of goal despite playing as a center back, scoring in two consecutive games. Guardiola will be hoping his side don’t need another late goal from him in a game they should have won comfortably.

CB: Ruben Dias—Dias came on late in the second half against Sparta Prague and should be ready to start this weekend.

Moderator: Joško Gvardiol– Guardiola gives the nod to the Croatian defender at left-back after Nathan Aké played most of the midweek game following his return from injury.

DM: Matheus Nunes—Nunes played the full 90 minutes in the Champions League win and Guardiola might have no choice but to use him again given the injury situation and his impressive performance in the win.

DM: Mateo Kovačić– The ex-Chelsea player comes from the jump and sits directly in front of the defensive line.

RW: Phil Foden– Foden could start anywhere in the final third outside the striker position and Guardiola could look to deploy him wide on the right, with Savinho on the opposite side.

AM: İlkay Gündoğan– The former Germany international takes on the No.10 role for City as De Bruyne slowly returns to action.

LW: Savinho—Although Savinho usually starts on the right wing, there is a good chance he will start on the left wing as he aims to advance to the baseline and deliver crosses with his preferred left foot.

ST: Erling Haaland– After scoring twice in the Champions League, Haaland leads the team hoping to score in the Premier League for the first time in over a month.

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