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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Isaac Johnson

Phillips in and Haaland rested - Man City fans pick line-up to face Southampton

Manchester City fans have named several rotations in their chosen line-up to face Southampton in Wednesday’s League Cup quarter-final clash with Southampton.

The Blues travel to Old Trafford on Saturday and so supporters have selected their picks with Manchester United in mind. City already know two potential semi-final opponents should they progress, with United and Newcastle beating Charlton and Leicester respectively.

Their four-year winning streak of lifting the League Cup ended last season when Liverpool got their hands on the trophy. But with the Reds out of the competition, City are the favourites for the crown once again.

READ MORE: Guardiola on 'ridiculous' ideas for derby clash

They have won six of the last nine editions and can take one step closer to a seventh in ten with a victory over struggling Southampton.

The Premier League bottom club will also have one eye on relegation zone counterparts Everton at the weekend and the Blues are expected to see off their efforts despite a rotated team.

Fans have chosen Stefan Ortega to start his sixth game of the season with Aymeric Laporte and Manuel Akanji guarding him alongside full-backs Sergio Gomez and rising star Rico Lewis.

Kalvin Phillips has been granted his first start of the season in midfield to anchor Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne. FA Cup hero Riyad Mahrez has been selected on the right flank with Jack Grealish getting the nod on the left.

Erling Haaland didn’t feature at all in the 4-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday and fans have again chosen World Cup winner Julian Alvarez to lead the line from the off as he vies for double figures, with the striker currently on eight goals.

Norwegian powerhouse Haaland is expected to play some part in the game to keep the juices topped up for the Manchester derby, in which he netted a hat-trick during October’s 6-3 win at the Etihad.

Rodri will likely be rested for most, if not all, of the match with Pep Guardiola forecasted to use his full allocation of five substitutes to ensure key players attain the minutes and fitness needed ahead of the big weekend clash.

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