Pep Guardiola has stuck to his word and made six changes for Manchester City's Premier League trip to Southampton on Sunday evening.
Guardiola insisted that City's focus is the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal, and that his Premier League line-ups would reflect the need to keep his players fit and fresh for that game. At the same time, City still need five points to confirm their place in the top four this season, so the manager has still gone with a strong side at Southampton.
Ederson starts in goal as expected, with Fernandinho returning after his two-match ban for a red card at Chelsea. However, the Brazilian appears to be lining up in his natural defensive midfield role for the first time this season, rather than central defence.
Instead, Guardiola has persisted with Aymeric Laporte and Eric Garcia at the back, while both full-backs are rotated, with Aleks Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo coming in to give Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy a rest.
In midfield, David Silva returns after being an unused substitute against Liverpool, and he joins Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva.
And in attack, Riyad Mahrez returns after dropping to the bench on Thursday. Raheem Sterling continues on the other wing and Gabriel Jesus is once again named up front in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero.
Guardiola, who has five opportunities to bring on substitutes, will be able to call upon Kevin de Bruyne, who earns a much-deserved rest, as well as in-form Phil Foden, as well as youngsters Tommy Doyle and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Interestingly, John Stones misses out on the 20-man matchday squad, despite being pictured in training this week and being a substitute against Liverpool.
Man City starting XI vs Southampton: Ederson, Cancelo, E Garcia, Laporte, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, D Silva (C), Bernardo, Mahrez, G Jesus, Sterling.
Substitutes: Bravo, Stones, Gundogan, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Otamendi, Foden, Doyle, Harwood-Bellis.
