City's star forward Haaland has recovered from his injury, providing a boost for Guardiola as Manchester City pursues a spot in the Champions League.
Title: Manchester City vs Southampton: Haaland's Return and Team Updates
Get ready for an exciting clash as Manchester City takes on Southampton this weekend! After a six-week absence, star striker Erling Haaland is set to make his comeback, according to City manager, Pep Guardiola.
With 21 goals in the Premier League, Haaland has been a top contender for the Golden Boot award, but a recent ankle injury knocked him out of the running. As of now, he sits in third place behind Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (28) and Newcastle United's Alexander Isak (23).
City finds itself third in the standings, three points behind second-placed Arsenal and just above Newcastle. With three games left in the season, securing a Champions League spot is crucial for the team.
Guardiola stated, "Erling Haaland is ready, he's fit. If he starts, we decide on Saturday." To add to the good news, Nicolás Otamendi and Raheem Sterling are also expected to return. However, Rodri is still unavailable for selection.
Southampton, on the other hand, is struggling at the bottom of the table with just 11 points and only two wins all season. Already relegated, they'll have nothing to lose and will undoubtedly challenge City.
"We start 0-0," Guardiola said. "Three games left. Huge respect for them."
The game is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM (UK time) at St. Mary's Stadium. Although UK broadcasters won't air the match live, international listings are available.
City is currently on a five-match winning streak, having beaten Wolves 1-0 in their last match with Kevin De Bruyne's goal decisively swaying the game.
In his match briefing, Guardiola emphasized the importance of the upcoming encounter: "The target when you're not champions is to qualify for the next Champions League season. If we make three victories, we'll be there. It's in our hands."
Although finishing second or winning the FA Cup is a possibility for City, Guardiola remains focused on the task at hand: "I'm not thinking too far ahead. It's just Southampton that's on my mind and all week, I've been thinking about them."
Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated match! Who do you think will come out on top—Manchester City or Southampton?
[1] Match Broadcast Information
[2] Latest News and Team Updates
[5] Detailed Player Statistics and Analysis
- Erling Haaland, who has been sidelined for six weeks due to an ankle injury, is expected to return for Manchester City's match against Southampton this weekend.
- With 21 goals in the Premier League, Haaland has been a prominent figure in the race for the Golden Boot award, but his recent injury has put him in third place behind Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak.
- As Southampton stands at the bottom of the table with just 11 points and only two wins all season, they'll pose a challenge to the consolidated position of Manchester City in the European leagues.
- With the Premier League season winding down, City finds itself in a crucial position, three points behind second-placed Arsenal and just above Newcastle, as securing a Champions League spot is paramount for the team.
