Manchester City can go top of the Premier League table with a win over Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
But City may only be top for 24 hours, with Arsenal playing on Sunday against Liverpool. Pep Guardiola's side will be hoping to continue their rampant form in recent weeks, following their 6-3 derby day victory over Manchester United and their 5-0 win against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League. Saturday's fixture will be City's third consecutive home game in all competitions when they host Southampton.
Saints managed to draw both games against City last season, but the most recent meeting between the two came in the FA Cup as Guardiola's side won 4-1 at St. Mary's Stadium. City will be missing a key player from their squad at the weekend, with Kyle Walker out after undergoing surgery.
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John Stones and Kalvin Phillips are also out. Rodri returned to the City squad after missing the Manchester derby, and the Spaniard should return to the XI against Saints.
So, could City beat Southampton and maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season? We simulated the game to find out.
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that City could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Ake, Gomez; De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.
We predict that the Saints could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bella-Kochap, Salisu, Perraud; Ward-Prowse, Maitland-Niles; Elyounoussi, Aribo, A. Armstrong; Adams.
The first major chance of the game fell to Southampton when Adam Armstrong managed to get in behind the City back line, but he could only hit the post. Normal service was resumed for City shortly after, with Phil Foden finding the opener for Guardiola's side.
Bernardo Silva drifted into the box from midfield unnoticed, allowing the Portugal international to receive the ball in space. Bernardo was quick to flick the ball into Foden's path when the fall arrived at his feet, and the forward was able to smash his effort past the 'keeper from close range.
Erling Haaland struck the woodwork twice in as many minutes not long after Foden's opener, with the striker once again looking dangerous. City were dominating the visitors, and Foden grabbed his and City's second on the 30-minute mark.
Jack Grealish cut in from the left and found Haaland in the box, and automatically, multiple Southampton players swarmed the striker. This left Foden open in a pocket of space, and Haaland managed to find the forward who swept his effort into the net.
Despite having the chance to take the lead after two minutes, Southampton were unable to create anything else in the first half as City controlled the game. And just before the break, Haaland managed to grab his mandatory goal to make it 3-0 in 45 minutes.
Kevin De Bruyne's corner was aimed for the Norwegian striker at the near post, and Haaland leaped higher than anyone else to power his effort into the top corner of the net. City used the second half to control possession and Guardiola's side barely threatened the goal as City won 3-0.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: City 3-0 Southampton
Here are the full-time match stats:
FIFA 23 predicts that an incredible first-half display would see City take a three-goal lead in the simulation, ultimately winning the game for Guardiola's side in the opening 45 minutes.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!
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