Southampton FC predicted lineup vs Manchester City in EPL

They’ll be hard-pressed to find it there, with just one victory against the Sky Blues in the last eleven meetings stretching back to 2016.

Saints have had a full week to prepare for this matchup, but the same questions will lie in what shape manager Ralph Hasenhuttl opts to go with, and the usual right-back conundrum given that two of the squad’s most talented players occupy each other’s position.

This has been, in my opinion, the hardest team to predict so far, and I'm taking a bit of a risk with my selection – but do tell me your thoughts in the comments below.

Goalkeeper

One academic decision at least is Alex McCarthy in net, as he has been for each of Saints’ four Premier League fixtures so far. The stopper made a number of great saves to deny Hammers a breakthrough and is deserving of Hasenhuttl's faith, at present.

Alex McCarthy kept a first Premier League clean sheet of 2021 last time out (Pictured vs Everton)

Defenders

I’m going to go with Tino Livramento getting the nod once again at right-back and not further forward, meaning Kyle Walker-Peters will again miss out. Jack Stephens and Mohammed Salisu were imperious against West Ham and have secured their starting spots. Leaving Romain Perraud, who put in his best Saints performance so far last weekend, to operate in left-back.

Tino Livramento looked to be locked in a battle for the right-back slot in Saints' side (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Midfielders

I’m predicting a return to the 4-2-2-2 and that could very easily be wrong, but given Hasenhuttl’s comments pre-match stating that they don’t always have to play the 4-1-4-1 shape they did against Hammers, I think he’s hinting to a return. That would leave Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse in the central midfield positions.

On the wing, he will again depend on Moussa Djenepo and Moi Elyounoussi – who looks a man reinvigorated since returning from a loan spell at Celtic. Djenepo isn’t everyone’s favourite and his end product needs serious improvement, but he’s a livewire and willing to get stuck in, which will be needed against the City onslaught.

Oriol Romeu played in a solitary half-back position against West Ham (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Attackers

Adam Armstrong is a shoo-in, and I’m going for Armando Broja to get his first Premier League start for Saints. Hasenhuttl has said he’s ready but teased that so are many Saints players, but I think it would be a shame to see him left out after a storming St Mary’s introduction last weekend.  

Armando Broja's explosive substitute performance stood out at St Mary's (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Full team: