After passing their midweek Champions League assignment with flying colours, Manchester City are back in Premier League action this weekend with a tricky match-up against Southampton.
Pep Guardiola's side have enjoyed a dream week since returning from the international break, defeating Manchester United and FC Copenhagen 6-3 and 5-0 respectively at the Etihad Stadium. Southampton are likely to put up a stronger fight, however; City were unable to beat Ralph Hasenhuttl's side in the Premier League last season, drawing 0-0 at the Etihad before salvaging a 1-1 draw at St Mary's.
Kyle Walker will be unavailable for the contest, as the England right-back underwent surgery this week on the groin injury he sustained in the Manchester derby. Like Kalvin Phillips - who is recovering from shoulder surgery - he faces a race to be fit for the World Cup. John Stones is also out, although he should return to action soon.
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Erling Haaland was withdrawn at half-time on Wednesday night, but Guardiola confirmed that was to give him a rest, not because of injury. He'll be hoping to score a hat-trick for the fourth consecutive home league game.
With that in mind, here's how our City writers think Guardiola should set his team up on Saturday. You can have your say by using our team selector tool below.
Alex Brotherton
With Joao Cancelo shifting across to right-back to cover for Walker, I think that Sergio Gomez will come in on the left. While Guardiola hasn't started the Spaniard much so far this season, he impressed in his cameo against United and against Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake could return to the line-up after dropping out for Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte in midweek. Guardiola won't want to risk starting Laporte twice in three days after spending five months on the sidelines, while Dias hasn't been as good as Akanji and Ake this term.
Ilkay Gundogan deputised for Rodri superbly in the last two matches, but Pep will want to get the Spaniard up and running again as quickly as possible. Foden-Haaland-Grealish is City's best front three, so the trio seem odds-on to start.
Simon Bajkowski
A front three of Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish looks inescapable after their recent performances. The win over Copenhagen cemented the idea that this Southampton match is more important than the Champions League trip to Denmark in a few days.
Rodri was back on the bench in midweek and can return to his regular role, with Kevin De Bruyne coming in and Bernardo Silva keeping his place - City need someone who can keep their foot on the ball against a Southampton team so good out of possession.
At the back, Laporte showed a few understandable signs of rustiness so I would return to the pair that worked so well in the derby. Gomez can stay at left-back with Cancelo moving across to right-back.
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