The best Southampton lineup to keep a clean-sheet against Manchester City
- Southampton are facing Premier League title favourites Manchester City in the next fixture.
- The best Southampton lineup to keep a clean-sheet against the defending Premier League Champions.
By Aakash Desai
Midfield
With another injury to defensive midfielder Will Smallbone, 29-year-old in-form midfielder Joe Aribo is highly likely to start against Pep Guardiola's side. The former Rangers star has looked in fine form over the previous league matches and his physicality and athleticism is needed while facing experienced playmakers such as Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic.
In the central midfield role, Flynn Downes should again start for Southampton despite a few inconsistent performances in recent matches. Downes often starts the match well with some good advancing passes while going forward, however, gives away possession frequently when the Saints are defending during the second half.
Hence, Russell Martin should play Downes in the First half and should introduce Adam Lallana as a substitute due to his huge experience in these massive Premier League matches. Playing alongside Downes as a box-to-box midfielder Mateus Fernandes will again be in the starting lineup due to his playmaking ability.
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Moreover, Fernandes links well with Cameron Archer on the left-side of the attack and can again provide another important assist to the in-form 22-year-old as he did against Arsenal.