Saints visit Etihad as they look to respond to last weekend’s embarrassment

It’s fair to say that Southampton’s season has gone downhill since the end of September and it doesn’t get much easier this weekend, a trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City.

Saints were completely torn apart by Leicester City last weekend at St Mary’s, losing 9-0 in front of their supporters.

As for City, they picked up another important three points thanks to a 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

Goals from Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan and David Silva set City on their way to keeping up the heat on Liverpool.

Going to the Etihad is never straight-forward and Saints have had the luxury of going there twice in the space of a week, the first of which they lost 3-1 on Tuesday evening.

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For the home side, they remain without long-term absentees Leroy Sane Aymeric Laporte, while Rodri misses out against the Saints and Oleksandr Zinchenko is sidelined with a knee injury.

As for the visitors, Ryan Bertrand serves the first game of his three-match ban, while Nathan Redmond and Sofiane Boufal are both doubts with knee injuries.

Cedric Soares and Moussa Djenepo continue to be out but the weekend comes too soon for the pair who are hopeful to be back for next week’s visit of Everton.

Hassenhuttl knows just how tough it will be despite strong away record

“It is another game against a not-so-bad opponent, but, as always, you have a chance to get something. Both teams will take from Tuesday’s game the good and the bad things and try to change a few things. They will do it and we will do it.

“Finally, I think that when we invest the same like we invested on Tuesday and keep it a little bit longer, and open the game, knowing that they are coming with fresh players and not worse ones but really good ones, still also we will make a few changes to the squad and a few fresh guys because we invested a lot on Tuesday.

Guardiola admits he learnt from Tuesday night’s game against the Saints

“Of course, we have learned some things,” said Pep. They play five at the back, four in the middle and one up front.

“For the last 10 minutes they try to regain the ball high up the pitch, while the rest of the game they defended deep. It was four days ago. It’s close. Maybe it will change. We have to prepare for everything.”

Head-to-head

Manchester City Wins – 35

Draws – 25

Southampton Wins – 31