Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero will be looking to get back his form Getty

Manchester City host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday, 28 November as the Citizens look to move back on top following a humbling defeat at the hands of Liverpool last week. The league leaders stumbled to a 4-1 loss at the hands of Jurgen Klopp's men, asking questions over Manuel Pellegrini's long term future at the club.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Highlights of the game will be on BBC Match of the Day at 10.20pm GMT on BBC One.

Overview

Manchester City will be asking themselves a multitude of questions regarding where it went wrong for the leaders against Liverpool, when they were taught a lesson in attack by a team currently not in the top four. City's defence was all over the place, with Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi failing to assert themselves with the same assurance that Vincent Kompany brings to the squad.

Sergio Aguero's return to action would be a major plus for Pellegrini and his long distance goal in the dying minutes of the second half will give him hope that they can keep their title challenge alive with a few more minutes under the Argentine's belt. The 2013/14 Champions have taken only one point from their last two games, which has seen them slide back into third, leapfrogging Arsenal on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Southampton have had to endure a difficult start to the campaign and have been pretty underwhelming at times, compared to what they managed last season under Ronald Koeman. An impressive win against Chelsea aside, their results have been far regressive from what was expected of them 13 games into the season, with the Saints conceding eight more goals than at this stage last season.

Their 1-0 loss to Stoke City last weekend will give Koeman much to think about but a positive result against a City side, who are struggling for form would give them some much needed confidence

What Managers Say

Manuel Pellegrini: "The only confidence I have is always about my work. That is the only way you must try to demonstrate the kind of manager you are. I never have any problem about my work, so it doesn't matter what they say. If not, it's impossible to work in this club – but not just in this club, but every big team. Everyone can make rumours, write or talk about different rumours. It's not a lack of respect about me – this is the profession. In every big team – Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United – it is the same thing. You must have trust in your work, that's very important."

Ronald Koeman: "We take one at a time, because that's the best way to have that tough week. We know about the Capital One Cup, it's a quarter final and we would like to win something, but that starts after Saturday. I think every game is important, because points make confidence and keep the feeling in the team, and that's always important. Of course it's a difficult week, it's a tough week, but we're looking forward to it, because we play football to have that pressure to win the game. We know it's three in a week, but the fitness of the players is ok and we have a lot of competition in our squad, and that's different than last season."

Betting Odds (888Sport)

  • Manchester City Win: 1.56
  • Draw: 4.40
  • Southampton Win: 6.25

Team News

Manchester City

Possible XI: Caballero; Sagna, Demichelis, Otamendi, Kolarov; Toure, Fernando; Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling; Aguero

Southampton

Possible XI: Stekelenburg; Soares, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand; Wanyama, Davis, Clasie, Tadic; Long, Mane

Manchester City FC