Manchester City predicted lineup vs Southampton - Premier League
Manchester City welcome Southampton to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola's side aren't often ushered into the UK television blackout slot of 3pm. However, City have scarcely shown signs of underperforming without the presence of Sky or BT's cameras, losing just two of their last 55 matches on Saturday afternoon.
Here's the XI Guardiola may deploy to extend his stellar record in the shadows.
1. Man City XI (4-3-3)
GK: Ederson - After overseeing a shutout against FC Copenhagen in midweek, Ederson could record consecutive clean sheets at the Etihad for the first time since April.
RB: Joao Cancelo - Guardiola has warned Cancelo that he tries a Hollywood pass with "every ball he has". The relationship between the pair has come a long way since its frosty beginning but Guardiola hasn't been able to iron out that particular kink just yet.
CB: Manuel Akanji - The Swiss international's adaptation to life at Manchester City has been as swift as the transfer to acquire his services from Borussia Dortmund which took a matter of days.
CB: Nathan Ake - Just three days after learning about his father's passing during a Champions League victory for City last year, Ake lined up against Southampton, keeping a clean sheet despite enduring a period that he described as "the toughest of my life".
LB: Sergio Gomez - Following a World Cup-threatening injury to Kyle Walker, Sergio Gomez may be granted the first Premier League start of his career.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne - The Belgium international leads Europe's top five leagues for assists with eight already this season - and Erling Haaland was only on the end of half of those.
CM: Rodri - When City were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw on Southampton's last visit to the Etihad Rodri was absent, a fact which Guardiola lamented post-game as his side "were not comfortable in our buildup".
CM: Bernardo Silva - City's fleet-footed midfield scamp hasn't scored in 11 appearances against Southampton - no other club in his career has kept him goalless for so many games.
RW: Phil Foden - Months before he took his first steps, Foden was kicking a ball that his parents had tied to his pram.
ST: Erlng Haaland - With a hat-trick in his previous three Premier League appearances at the Etihad, Haaland pointed out the common thread was eating his dad's homemade lasagne, quipping: “That’s turning out fairly well every game.”
LW: Jack Grealish - By his own assessment, Grealish is "playing with freedom and confidence and just going through one of those moments".