Phil Foden makes just his second Premier League start of the season for Manchester City against Southampton.

Pep Guardiola has made four changes from the midweek Champions League win against Sparta Prague but names the same front five.

That means Matheus Nunes makes his first Premier League start of the season as City seek a win that will see them go top of the table.

Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias start at centre-back, Savinho on the right wing.

Ederson returns in goal after Stefan Ortega played in the Champions League in midweek.

Erling Haaland leads the line and will be hoping to be among the goals again in the Premier League after his brace against Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Haaland has failed to score in his last three Premier League games since his last-gasp equaliser against Arsenal.

Kevin De Bruyne is missing again for City. The midfielder is still struggling with the groin injury he suffered last month and Guardiola has said he does not know when he will return.

City are also without Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku.

Asked about De Bruyne on Friday, Guardiola said: “Of course I would prefer to have all the squad with the amount of games but it is what it is.

“Hopefully he’ll be back soon. I would like to tell you but I don’t know.”

and the continued absence of Grealish and Doku leave Guardiola with decisions to make in wide areas.

There is some positive news for Guardiola with Nathan Ake’s return to fitness, but the defender has to settle for a place on the bench here.

City remain without long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb.

Confirmed Man City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Nunes, Savinho, Foden, Haaland

Subs: Ortega, Carson, Stones, Ake, Gundogan, O'Reilly, McAtee

Injured: Grealish, Doku, Rodri, Bobb, De Bruyne, Walker

Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday October 26, 2024

Venue: Etihad Stadium