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Southampton warm up before kick-off
(Getty Images)
Premier League leaders Manchester City welcome Southampton to the Etihad Stadium tonight as Pep Guardiola’s hosts look to bounce back after their derby defeat by rivals Man United, while their visitors aim to make it back-to-back wins in the division.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints emerged victorious against bottom-placed Sheffield United at the weekend, with James Ward-Prowse netting from the spot and Che Adams sealing the result as Southampton ended a winless run of nine games in the top flight. The Austrian coach will know that beating the league’s top team will be markedly more difficult than getting past the division’s bottom-dwellers, but there will be no pressure on the Saints with that in mind. Follow live updates of all the action between Manchester City and Southampton tonight below.
PEP GUARDIOLA SPEAKS TO SKY SPORTS
"Win games, lose games: it's part of the year. Always they react good, it doesn't matter the result. We try to get everybody involved. There are players that deserve to play who don't play. [On Southampton challenge] Real difficult one, they play with four defenders, they have quality, speed up front. We'll see."
Callum Rice-Coates10 March 2021 17:47
JAMES WARD-PROWSE SPEAKS TO SKY SPORTS
"We knew we were on a difficult run and we saw that game [Sheffield United win] as a chance to turn it around. Tonight's another big challenge to be brave and show what we can do on the ball."
Callum Rice-Coates10 March 2021 17:44
RALPH HASENHUTTL SPEAKS TO SKY SPORTS
"They [City] still don't have a lack of confidence. They're still a very strong side and will not like to lose again, so I'm sure it's going to be a tough game. But we like these games and enjoy these challenges."
Callum Rice-Coates10 March 2021 17:40
LAST MEETING
A lot has changed since these two sides last played each other. Back in December, a Raheem Sterling goal gave City a 1-0 win at St Mary’s. But that result meant Pep Guardiola’s team were still a point behind Southampton, who had started the season superbly.
Now, there’s a sizable gulf between the clubs, and City will expect another victory.
(Getty Images)
Callum Rice-Coates10 March 2021 17:30
HOW IT STANDS
Manchester City can stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 14 points with a win tonight, though Manchester United will, of course, have a game in hand.
Southampton, currently 14th, have some breathing space between them and the bottom three, but a couple of wins are still likely to be required over the next few weeks.
Callum Rice-Coates10 March 2021 17:23
CHANGES
Pep Guardiola makes five changes from the team that fell to an unexpected defeat in last weekend’s Manchester derby. In come Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden as the league leaders look to bounce back.
Southampton, after a much-needed victory over Sheffield United last time out, also make a host of changes: Alex McCarthy, Jack Stephens, Mohammed Salisu, Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Redmond and Che Adams all start. Danny Ings is out with a muscle injury.
Callum Rice-Coates10 March 2021 17:09
Callum Rice-Coates10 March 2021 17:01
Callum Rice-Coates10 March 2021 17:00
PREDICTION
Here’s how we think the game could play out tonight...
Alex Pattle10 March 2021 16:51
STREAKS ENDED
Manchester City’s remarkable winning run (21 games) was halted by rivals Man United at the weekend, while Southampton’s abysmal winless streak in the top flight (nine matches) came to an end with a victory over Sheffield United.
Alex Pattle10 March 2021 16:49
TEAM NEWS INCOMING
We’ll have the official line-ups for both clubs very soon.
Alex Pattle10 March 2021 16:46
WELCOME!
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Manchester City vs Southampton tonight!
Alex Pattle10 March 2021 16:44