PREVIEW: Manchester City v Southampton

Unavailable: Manchester City – Hart, Zabaleta, Mangala, Kompany, Nasri

                      Southampton – Forster, Gardoş, Rodriguez, Pellè

This weekend, Manchester City can briefly return to the summit of the Premier League if they overcome Southampton, and they are already safe in the knowledge that they have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, yet there is still a tangible sentiment of unrest in the blue half of the city. While fans feel a degree of apathy towards the Champions League, they will no doubt be concerned over their domestic form. It has been somewhat compromised by an unfortunate array of injuries, and this has exposed a genuine lack of squad depth.

The manner in which they collapsed against Liverpool at the Etihad last weekend also reveals a separate issue that will not easily be rectified – an alarming frailty in the mentality of Manuel Pellegrini's team. Liverpool were not unlocking City's backline with verve and supreme ingenuity, it was the hosts who caved in due to their opponents' high press.

City's loss to Juventus coupled with that heavy defeat to Liverpool signifies that they are now a wounded animal, and they are ready to strike. With the probable return of David Silva, Southampton will inevitably find it tough against a City team craving redemption. As predicted, Saints' form this season has been mixed, and last weekend's showing against Stoke was abject.

Ronald Koeman protected his players, stating that they were perturbed by the Marseillaise which was blasted out of the tannoy prior to the kick-off, but his team were short on ideas on how to break down a well drilled Stoke side, and it is a continually frustrating problem that Saints struggle in the first match after the international break.

This Saturday, Saints will have a different challenge, as they will most likely need to play on the break, but they will not be fazed by performing at the home of higher opposition. City's defence is struggling for confidence, and Koeman's men can exploit this, as Steven Davis, Sadio Mané and Dušan Tadić will support deputy front man Shane Long who will spearhead the attack. If Southampton can counter attack effectively and incisively with pace, then they may be able to protect that unbeaten record away from home.

This will also require discipline and quick thinking from the defensive midfield. Jordy Clasie has underlined his potential on occasion with a pass that splits the opposition’s backline, but this has been infrequent and has not justified his selection. Evidently, his adaptation period in the Premier League is still in its formative stages, but that task will not become any easier this weekend, as the Dutchman will have to contend with Yaya Touré sprinting towards him at a rate of knots. When able to resist the Ivorian’s bustling runs, Victor Wanyama and he will need to supply those in front of them with the opportunity to break swiftly.

Key Battles

Otamendi v Long: As Graziano Pellè will sit this match out due to suspension, it opens the door for the Irishman, who will be desperate to impress in the Italian’s absence. When he last played up top with the support of Mané, it worked to great effect, as the Chelsea backline struggled to cope with the pace and direct nature of the two players combining. The striker is persistent and is an ideal option for a game such as Saturday’s when he will need to run the channels for his side, and pressure a City defence low on morale. If Southampton are able to attack on either wing, the Irishman will also trouble City with crosses coming into the box.

One of his direct opponents, Nicolás Otamendi has had a mixed start to his City career after leaving Valencia. Inconsistency has left a question mark over his ability, while his relationship with fellow Argentinian centre-back Martín Demichelis was unsettled by the Juventus attack on Tuesday night. To add to that uncertainty, Willy Caballero will deputise in goal for Joe Hart, and Saints should attempt to press that rapport between centre-backs and ‘keeper to test its strength.

Agüero v Fonte: After a difficult start to the season, José Fonte has gathered confidence once more, and has produced several impressive displays alongside Virgil van Dijk. He will need to decide how to cope with Sergio Agüero – a task easier said than done. A deeper defensive line may be more appropriate as the striker is an expert in breaking free, and running through on goal. Fonte will need to maintain that understanding with Van Dijk throughout the afternoon to make sure that Saints have a worthwhile trip to the Etihad.

Possible Line-ups

Manchester City: Caballero – Sagna, Demichelis, Otamendi, Kolarov – Fernando, Touré (C) – Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne – Agüero

Wright, Bony, Navas, Delph, Clichy, Fernandinho, Adarabioyo

Southampton: Stekelenburg – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Clasie, Wanyama – S. Davis, Mané, Tadić – Long

K. Davis, Yoshida, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi, Ramírez, Caulker

PREVIEW: Southampton v Stoke

Unavailable: Southampton – Forster, Gardoş, Rodriguez

                       Stoke – Given, Muniesa

Ronald Koeman commented this week that Stoke represent their manager’s footballing philosophy down to a tee when they take to the field. The Saints boss pointed to a combative nature coupled with high intensity which means that the Potters are not to be taken lightly. In fact, many have claimed that the two are both members of a middle-tier league within the Premier League, comprised of well-established top tier teams who are pushing towards Europa League spots. Both clubs are well funded and sensibly run, signifying that they are well placed to make a challenge for a European place.

Evidently, as Koeman stated, Stoke do still have a certain style of play which is effective and direct. Although Glenn Whelan and Charlie Adam are both technically gifted players, they also have the ability to be forceful in a tackle. Meanwhile, up top is barrel-chested Jon Walters. The Irishman has been heavily lauded for his goalscoring exploits while representing his country, but this praise has been a rarity throughout the striker’s career. Pigeon holed as a mere hard worker, the forward has developed his game well, and should be given further credit.

Some of Stoke’s other offensive players have received plenty of it over the years. Ibrahim Afellay, Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan were all earmarked as players who would rise to the very top of the game, but have lost their way over the last few years, and as such, are all attempting to revive their careers in Staffordshire. The trio are creative players who can harm the opposition with an intelligent method of thinking.

Southampton will have to prepare themselves to cope with that blend of physicality and flair that the Potters possess in their ranks. Yet while remaining wary of their opponent’s strengths, Saints will want to force the issue as they go in search of a third straight win in the League. Koeman now seems to have settled on a first XI which is a cohesive unit, and that has resulted in a long period of stability – allowing Saints to launch themselves up the table.

When asked about the dynamic attacking trinity of Dušan Tadić, Sadio Mané and Graziano Pellè in his press conference, the Dutchman preferred to focus on the whole of his side, reserving special mentions for Steven Davis and Ryan Bertrand. Davis’s inclusion in the side is indeed vital for the three-pronged attack to fully function. A somewhat more conservative option as the most offensive central midfielder, the Northern Irish captain gives the trio license to push their opponents high, while he can also prise defences open with an excellent range of passing.

Key Battles

Soares v Arnautović: Cédric Soares was overlooked at Sunderland in favour of Maya Yoshida who is more defensively minded. It appears that Koeman is reluctant to utilise the offensive right-back in away games, when Mané is also deployed on that wing for fear of being too open. This weekend, the Dutchman is likely to be less cautious, and so he should be given Soares’s swift acclimatisation to the Premier League. His forays up the right wing may be slightly less frequent than at the start of the campaign, but he looks to be a more complete full-back for it, while heavy cuts to his head in recent months are a sign of how he is not shying away from a tackle.

He will be challenged by Marko Arnautović though. The tall forward can race to the byline and deliver ammunition for the striker, or alternatively he can come inside to surge into the box. If crosses come in from the right, the Austrian will be a threat at the back post, therefore Soares will have to perfect his positioning to bridge the height difference.

Wanyama v Bojan: The Kenyan captain will return for this game having been suspended for the trip to Sunderland. His defensive nous is clearly a vital asset for Southampton, however his sometimes reckless approach also has the potential to harm his own team. He will have to be prudent on Saturday when confronting Bojan. The former Barcelona man is enjoying a spell back in the No 10 position, having suffered a long-term injury last season, and revels in his role as creator-in-chief for the Potters. His smart touches on the ball often stifle defences, therefore Wanyama will need to stick to his man, but be careful when trying to usher the Spaniard away from dangerous areas.

Possible Line-ups

Southampton: Stekelenburg – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Clasie, Wanyama – Mané, S. Davis, Tadić – Pellè

K. Davis, Yoshida, Long, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi, Caulker

Stoke: Butland – Johnson, Shawcross (C), Wollscheid, Pieters – Whelan, Adam – Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautovic – Walters

Haugaard, Ireland, Wilson, Afellay, Diouf, Cameron, Crouch

PREVIEW: Sunderland v Southampton

Unavailable: Sunderland – Cattermole

                       Southampton – Forster, Gardoş, Long, Rodriguez, Wanyama

When Sunderland took the decision to appoint Sam Allardyce to replace Dick Advocaat, it was a real coup for the club considering how traumatic the past few years have been at the Stadium of Light. In recent times, the Sunderland hierarchy have recruited managers to see them over the line in a survival battle, but have not expanded on that success – Paolo di Canio comes to mind as the archetypal flash in the pan. Clearly, those in charge wish to see a manager who can build a legacy at the club, yet this has not come to pass. Allardyce may be the man who can harness their dreams to create a realistic plan for his team to aspire to in the coming years, if he is allowed the time to do his job. The 61-year-old remains underrated and undervalued despite his continued success – harshly dismissed at West Ham, despite the fact that he altered his playing style to be based on offensive pace rather than the long-ball game associated with Andy Carroll.

Nevertheless, Allardyce realised the gravity of his new club’s position last week as they capitulated away at Everton. In his pre-match press conference for this game, he still seemed to be confused as to how his team imploded despite the fact that they had just come from two goals behind to level. He was then questioned as to whether there is a frail mentality at the club after several thrashings such as the one handed out at St Mary’s last season. Saints chalked up eight goals that day as they demolished the visitors, but their record at the Stadium of Light makes for grim reading for the South Coast club since their return to the Premier League. In five games in Wearside, Saints have lost three, and drawn two, including a couple of extremely disappointing cup defeats when Mauricio Pochettino opted to play weakened teams.

Evidently, they will want to rectify that situation this weekend, and maintain their unbeaten away record in the league, yet they will be without key man Victor Wanyama in the centre following his red card against Bournemouth. The Kenyan completely lost his composure and allowed himself to be sucked into a naïve early booking, before receiving his marching orders in the latter stages when his team were under the cosh. This has cost him and his team, and it is vital that he makes better decisions in order for his talent to shine through. Oriol Romeu will most likely deputise, and he will need to support Jordy Clasie who is still adapting to the intensity of the Premier League.

Apart from that, Ronald Koeman will most likely stick with the rest of the line-up that played last time out. Yet he will have to address the issue of the team fading in the second half. This has now happened twice against both Leicester and Bournemouth, but it is unclear what is behind such a drop in energy after dominating the first half in both games. The defence held out well last Sunday, however the attacking midfield trio struggled to maintain a threat which would have stifled the Cherries’ high pressing game. Sadio Mané, Dušan Tadić and Steven Davis will have to remain dynamic in order to concern the Black Cats if Saints can get themselves in the lead, instead of dropping deeper where they will be nullified.

Saints will also have to deal with the uncertainty of not knowing what formation they will be coming up against, as Allardyce elected to use a 3-4-1-2 system at Everton, whereas his team lined up in a more conservative 4-2-3-1 in the previous week. The Sunderland boss has talented players that he can call upon in the midfield and the striking department, but they are not all blessed with Premier League experience. Koeman will have to make sure that his team is adequately prepared to face somewhat of an unknown quantity, who could challenge them on the day.

Key Battles

Toivonen/Fletcher v Van Dijk: Virgil van Dijk and Maya Yoshida managed to provide a sturdy rearguard as Saints had to repel a second half onslaught from Bournemouth. It was particularly impressive from the Dutchman considering the fact he had not played with Yoshida beside him at centre-back before. It also underlined the improvement he has made since performing badly when his team were under a similar level of pressure against Leicester. The centre-back has settled quickly on the South Coast – bar a couple of hiccups against Manchester United and that game when he faced the currently unstoppable Jamie Vardy. On Saturday, he will undergo a different challenge to that which Josh King posed last weekend. It is likely that he will be up against Ola Toivonen or Steven Fletcher. Both are strong, physical players who will attempt to ruffle Van Dijk’s feathers in order to free space for Jermain Defoe (or another speed merchant from the midfield) to run in behind. Fletcher would be a more mobile option, however Toivonen has made a career out of spearheading an attack in a similar style to Graziano Pellè. Either way, good communication between the Dutchman and José Fonte will be imperative in order to cope with the chosen targetman and those running off him.

M’Vila v S. Davis: Despite his obvious flaws in terms of showing too much aggression, Lee Cattermole does have the ability to marshal a midfield if managed correctly. This Saturday, he will not be fit though, therefore it is time for Yann M’Vila to show his worth following his summer loan move from Rubin Kazan. The French international’s career has stalled somewhat after what was the wrong decision to play in Russia instead of furthering his career in a superior European league. In his formative professional years at Rennes, he emerged as a player who could hold down a starting slot in the engine room for his country, as his displays highlighted how he could ably protect his back four and anchor the midfield. Allardyce requires him to start showing that form again, as he faces the experienced Steven Davis. The Northern Irish captain was pivotal in Saints’ superb first half against Bournemouth as he played just off Pellè, encapsulated by the first goal where they combined beautifully to allow the former to score the opener. The midfielder has not only provided the stability needed in a team that includes the offensive Mané and Tadić, but his recent goalscoring threat has been a real boost to Koeman.

Possible Line-ups

Sunderland: Pantilimon – Yedlin, O’Shea (C), Kaboul, Van Aanholt – Johnson, Rodwell, M’Vila, Lens – Defoe, Fletcher

Mannone, Jones, Brown, Larsson, Borini, Gomez, Toivonen

Southampton: Stekelenburg – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Clasie, Romeu – Mané, S. Davis, Tadić – Pellè

K. Davis, Yoshida, Ward-Prowse, Reed, Juanmi, Ramírez, Caulker