Manchester City have won 12 league matches in succession and, in such irresistible form, look very likely to make it 13 at Southampton. A swathe of pundits believe City need to sign a striker before the window closes and possibly this would help Pep Guardiola finally get over the line in the Champions League, but domestically they are cruising to glory without the frivolities of an out-and-out No 9. In the process they are making the rest of the top flight rather red-faced as no one seems able to stop City’s Rube Goldberg goal machine. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side will need to be supremely focussed from the off and that’s just to avoid a thrashing. Graham Searles
Saturday 5.30m Sky Sports Premier League
Venue St Mary’s Stadium
Last season Southampton 0 Manchester City 1
Referee Simon Hooper
This season G7 Y23 R0 3.29 cards/game
Odds H 23-2 A 3-10 D 11-2
SOUTHAMPTON
Subs from Lewis, Stephens, Long, A Armstrong, Small, S Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Valery, Walcott
Doubtful Walcott (Covid), Elyounoussi (Covid)
Injured McCarthy (hamstring, Feb), Smallbone (calf, Feb), Livramento (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Unavailable Djenepo (Africa Cup of Nations)
Discipline Y41 R2
Form LDWDWL
Leading scorer Ward-Prowse 6
MANCHESTER CITY
Subs from Steffen, Carson, Palmer, Fernandinho, Aké, Mbete, Delap, Jesus, Egan-Riley, Wilson-Ebrand, Lavia, McAtee, Gündogan, Laporte
Doubtful Delap (match fitness)
Injured None
Suspended None
Unavailable Mahrez (rest after Africa Cup of Nations)
Discipline Y30 R1
Form WWWWWW
Leading scores Silva, Sterling 7
