Manchester city boss Manuel Pelligrini naturally expressed with his side’s 4-1 home defeat by on Saturday, calling the performance a “complete disaster”. The defeat saw City replaced by Leicester City at the top of the Premier League table, but there was, at least, a break in the clouds for the Sky Blues.

Argentine striker Sergio Aguero led the line for over an hour and scored, albeit just a consolation goal, despite only just recovering from a hamstring injury. Furthermore, having already secured a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League, the midweek fixture against Juventus assumes less importance that might have otherwise been the case. Even so, Pellegrini will be keen to win the group, so a weakened City side is unlikely.

Prior to the 1-0 home defeat by Stoke last Saturday, Southampton had been unbeaten in six Premier League matches, climbing to seventh in the table as a result. However, influential Italian striker Graziano Pelle was largely anonymous at the Britannia Stadium and, having collected a booking for kicking the ball away, is suspended for this fixture. Pelle has scored six goals in the Premier League this season, so his absence is a big blow for the Saints.

Neither side can really be backed with any confidence after disappointing results last weekend. Manchester City have scored in all seven home games in the Premier League this season, but Saints’ defence is usually pretty solid so, in the absence of top-scorer Graziano Pelle, let’s try a punt on Sadio Mane to score the first goal at 10/1 with William Hill.

Selection: Sadio Mane to score first goal (10/1 with William Hill)