Manchester City predicted XI for FA Cup clash with Southampton - with Ruben Dias out & changes expected

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has several options to choose from ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Southampton.

The Sky Blues will be trying to reach the last four of the competition for the fourth consecutive seasons, but are likely to be without Ruben Dias.

Guardiola confirmed the defender will be out for ‘a long time’ in his pre-match press conference against Sporting Lisbon last week.

City come into the fixture against the Saints off the back of a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday, which saw Guardiola bring Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish back into his starting XI.

This will be the Sky Blues last game before the international break with the club wanting to have momentum upon their return in April.

We’ve had a look at how we reckon Guardiola will line up at St Mary’s against Southampton…

Goalkeeper

Ederson started their last FA Cup game against Peterborough United and with the importance of this tie, it’s likely he’ll remain between the sticks.

Defence

Kyle Walker wasn’t part of Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, but is a key member of Guardiola’s. Expect him to start at right-back, while Oleksandr Zinchenko could replace Cancelo on the left-side of defence, he’s been City’s back-up in the position, and utilised in cup competitions so far this season.

In the middle of the back-four, John Stones has been the stand-in for Dias since the latter’s injury and a consistent performer this season. It would make little sense to drop him on Sunday, with Pep’s other ‘main-man’ Aymeric Laporte also expected to start at centre-back.

Midfield

Guardiola favour a 4-3-3 formation and Belgian maestro Kevin De Bruyne has featured heavily for the club this season and could make a huge difference in breaking down the Saints’ defence on Sunday, while experienced midfielder Fernandinho has been used heavily in cup competitions and despite his age has been a consistent performer at the highest level.

They’ll likely be joined by Bernardo Silva to finalise City’s midfield trio. He’s an ever-present member of Guardiola’s squad and another player who could cause problems for Southampton’s well-drilled defence.

Attack

Gabriel Jesus’ ability to adapt and feature on the wing has led to regular rotation for him this campaign, with the Brazilian a strong contender to start out-wide on Sunday, like he did against Sporting last week.

The false-9 role has been utilised significantly by Guardiola this season with several players featuring there. Phil Foden has moulded his game in order to play in this position and it’s likely, especially due to his form, that the Englishman will start against the Saints.

Completing the line-up is £100m summer signing Jack Grealish. He recently returned against Palace and will be eager to justify his place in Southgate’s England squad after only netting four goals so far.

Predicted XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva, Jesus, Foden, Grealish.