Manchester City are gearing up to take on bottom v=club Southampton at the weekend – can Pep Guardiola’s men keep the pressure on league leaders Arsenal?

City have just one confirmed absentee for the game against Southampton, but it is nonetheless a major one – starboy Phil Foden has been ruled out of action until late April.

Additionally, Premier League top goalscorer Erling Haaland is also a major doubt. If he is unable to play, he will likely be replaced by Julian Alverez in the starting lineup, who scored City’s opening goal last weekend.

In their last game, the Citizens impressively swept Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool by a score of 4-1. The Reds struck first through Mohamed Salah, but the Sky Blues were dominant from there on in. Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish all found the net en route to City’s victory.

Southampton, on the other hand, were beaten by West Ham United in their last game. It was just another disappointing display from Saints, as they fell to a 1-0 loss – each defeat takes them one step closer to relegation.

When the teams last played each other in the league, City ran out as 4-0 victors over the south coast side. It was a comfortable outing for the Citizens, as Southampton failed to register even a shot on target in response – City’s goalscorers on that day included Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Erling Haaland.