Southampton vs. Man City lineups, predicted starting 11, team news, injuries: Haaland eyeing return

Manchester City's bleak midwinter has opened up into a promising spring as Pep Guardiola's side end 2024/25 on a strong run of form.

Deposed as Premier League champions by Liverpool and dumped out of the UEFA Champions League before the knockout stage proper as injuries took a toll, City are undefeated in eight matches across all competitions since the March international break, winning seven.

That upturn in form has largely taken place without one of their star players, who is pushing to feature on England's south coast.

By contrast, Southampton have only won two Premier League games all season. This is one of three remaining opportunities for them to move above Derby County's all-time lowest Premier League points total of 11, set in the 2007/08 season.

MORE: Man City receive major boost as huge star returns to full training

Southampton vs. Man City lineups, predicted starting 11, team news

Southampton caretaker boss Simon Rusk appears to have a clean bill of health heading into this match.

Matheus Fernandes is expected to start. Rusk's decision to substitute the playmaker drew a vitriolic reaction from the travelling supporters during the Saints' 2-0 defeat at Leicester. 

Ross Stewart made way for Paul Onuachu at halftime at the King Power stadium and that change up front might stick.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis is set to start against his former club, although Tyler Dibling — mooted as a City target a couple of months ago — might have to be content with a place on the bench once more.

Southampton predicted lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left):  Ramsdale (GK) — Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens — Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Manning — Fernandes, Sulemana — Onuachu.

Injured: None
Suspended: None

MORE: All the latest EPL club news | Team-by-team Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings

Erling Haaland was in the Manchester City squad for the first time since mid-March when Guardiola's side beat Wolves 1-0 last Friday. The star striker was an unused substitute but will be pushing for a start after a full week of training following his ankle injury.

That will mean a reshuffle for City, who have operated with a strikerless formation in Haaland's absence. Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku and the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne have all made strong cases to start and Southampton should be ready to face an attacking-looking lineup.

Manuel Akanji enjoyed his first significant action since suffering an adductor injury when he played the final half hour against Wolves. The versatile Switzerland defender represents a more specialist alternative to makeshift full-backs Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly, who have thrived over recent weeks.

Man City predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ederson (GK) — Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly — Kovacic, Silva — Marmoush, De Bruyne, Doku — Haaland

Injured: Rodri (ACL), Stones (thigh), Ake (foot), Bobb (hamstring)
Suspended: None

MORE: Could Spurs still be at risk of relegation?

Southampton vs. Man City live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world's major regions: