Currently sitting in 1st place, Manchester City will be confident heading into tonights game against a Southampton side struggling to pick up points this season. However, the mood in the Saints camp should be good after their dominant 2-0 win against Sheffield United last saturday, which could give Ralph Hassenhuttl the added boost needed to get a result against a high flying City team. 

Manchester City have only felt the taste of defeat three times this season, while Hassenhuttl knows all to well what it's like to leave matches empty handed. An inconsistent Saints side plagued with injuries has seen Southampton drop from 1st place in November, down to 14th where they currently sit. 

With the strength in Southampton's squad, the chances of relegation are very slim, but Hassenhuttl will want to aim for more than that, after being tipped for a potential Europa League spot earlier in the season. If Southampton can regain some form then a top half finish is extremely achievable. 

* Team news - Southampton FC

Saints are without talisman Danny Ings after he came off injured against Sheffield United, and is set to be out till April. 

Theo Walcott is still absent after his knee injury, while Oriel Romeu will be missing till the end of the season. 

* Team news - Manchester City 

Pep Guardiola has pretty much a full strength squad at his disposal, with only Nathan Ake being a doubt ahead of tonights game. 

* Previous meetings

The last time these two sides faced each other, City only narrowly left St Mary's with three points, after Raheem Sterling netted the only goal of the game in the 14th minute. 

Southampton have however enjoyed a visit from Pep Guardiola's team, after a heroic performance last season from the whole Saints team they managed to beat City 1-0, after an incredible strike from Che Adams

* Ones to watch 

Southampton FC - James Ward-Prowse

In an average season for Southampton, James Ward-Prowse has been the most consistent player, putting in a captains performance each week. Being the best free kick taker in the Premier League, he always gives Saints an option for scoring, even if they haven't looked threatening to score. The Saints skipper has played every minute this season, and with an injury stricken season, all Southampton fans are delighted to have not seen Ward-Prowse's name under the injury list. 

 

Manchester City - Ilkay Gundogan 

For Man City, pretty much their entire squad could be chosen as a one to watch, with so many outstanding performers all season. However, Ilkay Gundogan has been outstanding for Pep Guardiola, showing ridiculous form towards the back end of this season. He's City's top scorer with 11 goals, and from midfield that is an excellent output. 

* Predicted line-ups

Southampton FC (4-4-2): Forster; Bertrand, Vestegaard, Bednarak, Walker-Peters; Minamino, Ward-Prowse(c), Diallo, Armstrong; Adams, Redmond

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Walker; Fernandinho(c), De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero

* How to watch

Manchester City vs Southampton FC will kick off at 6:00 GMT at the Etihad Stadium on the 10th March, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. 

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