Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has gambled with his team selection by playing many of his second string for this FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

There are eight changes in total from the side that beat Burnley in midweek.

John Stones plays for the first time since the win over Newcastle in the earlier rounds and he also take the captain's armband, with his long-term future at City unclear.

James Trafford starts in goal, with the likes of Nathan Ake, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush all coming in.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi, Bernardo Silva, Nico O'Reilly, Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland all drop out.

Man City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Stones, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Gonzalez, Kovacic, Reijnders, Cherki, Foden, Marmoush.

Championship high-flyers Southampton make six changes from their draw against Bristol City last time out.

Welington, Caspar Jander, Cameron Braggs, Tom Fellows, Leo Scienza and Ross Stewart all come into the side.

Flynn Downes is suspended, while Ryan Manning, Shea Charles, Kuryu Matsuki, Cameron Archer and Cyle Larin drop out.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis captains the Saints against his old side.

Southampton XI: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Welington, Jander, Bragg, Fellows, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart.

Southampton drew with Bristol City on Tuesday but, before then, they had won seven in a row in the Championship, and they played really well to knock Arsenal out in the last round too.

I was at St Mary's Stadium when Saints knocked Manchester City out of the League Cup in 2023, which shows you what could happen here.

I don't see a shock this time, though.

Tonda Eckert has done a phenomenal job with Saints but I still think City will come out comfortable winners, as long as they are not as wasteful as they were against Burnley.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Saturday 11 April may prove to be a defining date in Manchester City's season.

A week after Pep Guardiola's side had knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup, Arsenal had the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 12 points. Instead, they lost at home to Bournemouth.

Since that game, City have won their past three matches, including a crucial triumph against the Gunners, along with Wednesday night's victory at Burnley.

It means that City return to the FA Cup sitting top of the Premier League table on goals scored. By the time they face Southampton on Saturday, Guardiola and his players will have led the Premier League for a grand total of 10 days this season.

Celebrations following a workmanlike victory at Turf Moor did not match the exuberance of those that came after last weekend's win over Arsenal, although the result is no less significant. City's ambitions are now firmly aligned with the second domestic treble of Guardiola's near 10-year tenure and they will next target passage to a fourth successive FA Cup final. To do so they must defeat a non-Premier League side – the kind they like to face in this competition.

Southampton, though, are likely to provide a far sterner test than the average underdog. The Championship side are on a 20-game unbeaten run, winning 16, and while Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Bristol City ended a run of eight straight victories, Tonda Eckert's team once again showcased their resilience by twice coming from behind to earn a point.

Only Lincoln City are currently on a longer unbeaten run in the top four tiers of English football, while Saints' 20-game streak is better than any Premier League outfit has managed this season – underlining the impact that Eckert has made in turning them into promotion contenders since swapping his coaching role with the under-21 side to replace the sacked Will Still in November.

Next week marks 50 years since Second Division Southampton famously defeated Manchester United in the 1976 FA Cup final and the spirit of that cup run has been invoked in this campaign. Saints eliminated Fulham at Craven Cottage in the fifth round before shocking then-Premier League leaders Arsenal just over three weeks ago in the quarter-finals at St Mary's.

City's rise to the Premier League summit reinforces their status as big favourites for Saturday's contest but it also affords Saints the opportunity to create history. No side has ever knocked out the top-flight leaders (at the start of the day) from the FA Cup twice in the same season.

Did you know?

• Southampton are trying to become the first Championship side to reach the final since Cardiff in 2008.

• Manchester City have reached their eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final, a run stretching back to 2018-19. They will attempt to become the first team to win four in a row.

Image source, Getty Images

Suspensions hampering Saints plans

Southampton are missing two key players because of suspension. Midfielder Flynn Downes received a retrospective three-match ban after elbowing Swansea's Liam Cullen last weekend, while left-back and set-piece taker Ryan Manning (six goals and seven assists this season) received his second yellow of this competition against Arsenal.

Centre-back Jack Stephens may miss out on a sixth Wembley outing after withdrawing during the warm-up of the Bristol City game with a calf issue.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders says he wants to "relive" the feeling of winning the Carabao Cup at Wembley when returning to the stadium for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Southampton.

"It was amazing, my first time at Wembley," he told BBC Radio Manchester, reminsicing on the 2-0 win over Arsenal.

"A great stadium and especially when we received the trophy the view was amazing. I hope we can relive that again. It was a great experience and also very nice that my family was there so I could celebrate it with them after the game.

"As a kid I always watched these kind of games so playing here and playing in the FA Cup is amazing. Playing two finals in my first season here at Manchester City would make me very happy."

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A matter of weeks remain to define an entire season of graft.

Supporters have spent all their energy, players are running on empty and the rewards that remain on offer tantalise.

So as Manchester City and Arsenal slug it out, BBC Sport asked two of our fan writers - Emily Brobyn for City and Laura Kirk-Francis for the Gunners - to predict the league games that remain.

Manchester City: Everton (a) - Win; Brentford (h) - Win; Bournemouth (a) - Draw; Crystal Palace (h) - Win; Aston Villa (h) - Win.

End-of-season total - 83 points

Arsenal: Newcastle (h) - Win;Fulham (h) - Win; West Ham (a) - Draw; Burnley (h) - Win; Crystal Palace (a) - Win.

End-of-season total - 83 points

I really believed at one point that this was a season too soon for this evolving, young Manchester City squad. Nobody is more surprised that City are still in the title race than me - a period of sloppy draws has been followed by powerhouse performances against Arsenal twice, Liverpool and Chelsea.

But I believe the final games of the title race could still spring surprise results. City have the momentum, but their positive display at the Etihad will give Arsenal belief.

I think there could be a final day shootout - winner takes all. It could be down to whoever scores the most between now and the end - and whoever is brave enough to feel the fear, but embrace that energy and turn it into their driving force.

I say City may just edge it on goal difference.

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal: Newcastle (h) - Win; Fulham (h) - Win; West Ham (a) - Draw; Burnley (h) - Win; Crystal Palace (a) - Win.

End-of-season total - 83 points

Man City: Everton (a) - Draw; Brentford (h) - Win; Bournemouth (a) - Draw; Crystal Palace (h) - Win; Aston Villa (h) - Win.

End-of-season total - 81 points

My hope for Arsenal's first league title in 22 rests on David Moyes. I have deluded myself into thinking that the Everton manager, under whom Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta played for six years, will take points off Manchester City as a tribute and a favour to his former captain.

Beyond that, Arsenal should feel galvanised by the performance at Manchester City last weekend, with the error from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma perhaps also providing a glimmer of hope that there are flaws within this Manchester City side. Or maybe just one flaw, but that could be all that's needed.

On paper, Arsenal have a slightly easier run-in, but the momentum is very much with Manchester City. Faith and fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. Today, I choose faith (for the next few hours at least).

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The head of the official Manchester City supporters' club has praised the hierarchy for listening to the fans' concerns by freezing ticket prices for the third consecutive campaign.

Fan advisory board City Matter played a key role in discussions with the club, with conversations about the potential of ticket price increases for next season taking place between both parties since January.

"People can see what is happening around the world, which is putting pressure on putting petrol in cars and putting pressure on companies to deliver goods," Kevin Parker told BBC Sport.

"Putting prices up in the current climate is an absolute no. Generally, within the Premier League, that has been ignored and clubs have decided to put prices up for next season. Some have gone way too far, but any percentage increase is too far.

"For Manchester City to listen to City Matters, and what we have been telling them, and then come back and say there will be no price increases on matchday tickets - that is the most important part of this.

"We cannot ask for anything more. It shows that they have listened."

City's price freeze comes at a time when plenty of other clubs who have qualified for Europe, such as Arsenal and Liverpool, have increased their ticket prices.

Parker added: "This shows supporters of other teams that we do have a different football club, board and ownership.

"We know this is a business and clubs have to put up with the cost of living too, but the fact that we're being listened to and other clubs seem to listen and then ignore, that says a lot.

"Liverpool fans' group Spirit of Shankly can use what we've done as a football club to help support their case now."

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City's decision to freeze ticket prices for the 2026-27 season shows "how special" the club is, says manager Pep Guardiola.

General admission season tickets and Premier League match-by-match tickets for adult and junior members will be retained at the same rate for the third consecutive campaign.

The club's price freeze comes at a time when the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool have all increased ticket prices, with protests planned at Anfield about the issue for Saturday's game against Crystal Palace.

"Hats off to my chairman and my CEO," said Guardiola. "This business doesn't work without fans. Imagine playing in the Covid times when we didn't have people in our stadium.

"The club needs to have enough resources financially to buy the best players and continue to pay the players. It is necessary but the club thought: 'OK, we can find it another way'.

"The situation in the world is difficult, and not increasing season tickets means a lot for how special this club is and how good it is. Hopefully in the last two or three games at home they can all be there."

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup semi-final game against Southampton at Wembley Stadium (kick-off 17:15).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola gave an update on Rodri: "He's better. No, [he is not likely to play] we don't want to take the risk...I don't know [if he will be back for the Everton game] but we don't want to take a risk, because if he's injured, and we lose him the next five games. Rodri is so important."

• When asked about recent reports on John Stones and his future, Guardiola said: "It depends on the manager, that's for sure." The reporter then asked if the manager can give them any clues, to which he joked: "Yeah, definitely. I call you later."

• On the FA Cup and eventually leaving City: "No, I'm living day by day, numbers are numbers, how fine we have been is how fine we have been, who we are is who we will be. It is a semi-final at Wembley again. We will try to win."

• Choosing his favourite Wembley moment, Guardiola said: "To win the first Champions League with Barcelona was so important. Really important. And of course, Champions League against Man United as well. It's been nice, good moments, the FA Cup against Man United as well."

• On balancing the minutes in players' legs versus the importance of games: "It was so demanding, the game against Arsenal, emotionally, it's normal. The people were so tired and they take a train for hours. They were from here to the hotel and to Wembley. Tomorrow will be a fantastic day. So many, many thoughts. Still I am in my mind and we'll see tomorrow."

• When asked about the club freezing season ticket prices: "Imagine playing how it was in Covid times and we don't have people in our stadiums. So I'm pretty sure that the club needs to financially, have enough resources to buy the best players as possible, to continue to pay the players. Of course it's necessary. But when the club think they can find it another way, and in the situation the world is difficult, no increase in the season tickets means a lot."

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Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League leaders Manchester City have frozen ticket prices for the 2026-27 season - the third consecutive campaign in which they have not increased.

General admission season tickets and Premier League match-by-match tickets for adult and junior members will be retained at the same rate.

The club said they had taken the approach "in recognition of the extraordinary accumulated impact of the current cost of living pressures on fans and their families".

City's price freeze comes at a time when the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool have all increased ticket prices, with protests taking place at Anfield about the issue earlier this month.

City have also introduced a new bracket of adult ticket prices starting at £25 for some midweek Premier League games, acknowledging the difficulties of attending such matches during a working week.

Supporters have voiced their frustrations this season at the restrictions on transferring tickets to other fans and the club have simplified this method so they can now be switched to anyone without the need to be a member.

Fan advisory board City Matter played a key role in discussions with the club and said: "Over several months we have worked closely and constructively with the club, taking part in positive dialogue with them, sharing a wide range of views from within our fanbase on ticketing related topics.

"The outcome that the club and City Matters have delivered together demonstrates the real and positive impact that City Matters has as the club's official fan network."

Meanwhile, a date for the opening of the new upper section in the North Stand of Etihad Stadium is yet to be confirmed, with 7,000 additional seats being put in place to take the capacity to more than 60,000.

Manchester City are considering a move for 25-year-old Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Aston Villa are interested in 23-year-old Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez, if the 33-year-old Argentina goalkeeper decides to leave the club. (Times - subscription required), external

Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are keeping tabs on AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leao, who is valued at around £60m. (Mail), external

While Pep Guardiola's side are in pole position to sign 23-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, despite interest from clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United.

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku says he would be in the conversation for being one of the best wingers in the world if he scored more goals.

Doku provided the assist for Erling Haaland's winner against Burnley on Wednesday - a result which took City top of the table over Arsenal by virtue of more goals scored.

The Belgium international has provided 13 assists in 40 games this season, but has scored only four goals.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr, meanwhile, has scored 18 times and provided 14 assists in 48 games this season.

Asked if he can reach the level of the Brazil international, Doku said: "Yeah, of course. I feel like if I have goals we are talking about a different conversation.

"You should ask defenders what they think. I'm sure they would say that, obviously if I score goals, this is a different conversation that we have.

"A winger needs to score. If I have those goals then I believe that I can get there for sure - 100%."

Asked who he took inspiration from as a player, Doku reeled off some big names.

"I liked to watch Neymar. Obviously, [Lionel] Messi was a winger before. [Franck] Ribery, [Eden] Hazard, [Arjen] Robben - those were the wingers. Ronaldinho.

"I just watched them. I like to watch them. And then I just created my own thing.

"I just admire them. But I can't do what they do and they don't do what I do. I just try to do my own thing with what my qualities are."

Emily Brobyn
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have really missed an opportunity to gain an advantage on Arsenal by increasing their goal difference, screamed the headlines.

Maybe they did, but the 1-0 win at Turf Moor still got the job done as far as Pep Guardiola and the players were concerned.

After a blockbuster 2-1 win over their title rivals on Sunday - a game that really delivered on both promise and performance for both sides - there was possibly a feeling about after the Lord Mayor's show when it came to visiting relegation-looming Burnley. Devastating Arsenal twice, Liverpool and Chelsea is one thing, but facing a team 90 minutes away from their Championship fate is another.

At times, it had the feel of a testimonial. But Burnley were dogged, determined and desperate. This was a game that City could have drawn this season. Dropped points against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and West Ham has been the reality that City have lived the past few months.

So, despite the many missed chances, coming away from this game with all three points is a testament to City's spirit and resilience of late. When it comes to the business end of the season, you take points on the board all day long, especially coming only a few games after a gruelling title battle.

City have the distraction of an FA Cup semi final against Southampton at Wembley now, one that you would assume Pep Guardiola will rotate his squad for. Despite City sitting pretty top of the table, it's Arsenal who could be six points clear again by the time the Blues play a league game.

That match is at Everton on a Monday evening, giving Pep's side a chance for a real post-Wembley rest. But Arsenal have three games before that, including a huge Champions League semi final in Spain.

Even if they win their league games, just knowing how much City thrive off the thrill of the chase and the benefit that rest will give this hungry side must be an ominous thought for any fan to process.

Judging City solely off their performance at Burnley, without respecting their win, would be a foolish game to play.

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Clean sheets are particularly "important" this season as Manchester City need "any advantage" they can gain over Arsenal in a tense Premier League title race, says defender Marc Guehi.

The England international was part of the City backline that edged a 1-0 victory at Burnley to help the side move top of the table on goals scored with five games remaining.

In the space of 11 days, Pep Guardiola's side have managed to claw back a nine-point deficit on the Gunners, with Erling Haaland scoring the only goal at Turf Moor.

Asked about the goal difference which is currently level, Guehi said: "The lads were saying it today a lot to be fair.

"Erling was mentioning it a lot to make sure we don't concede because it really is important right up to the last game of the season.

"We don't know how it's going to come down so any advantage we can gain in the title race is important."

City were expected to beat the Clarets by a more handsome margin, having opened the scoring in the fifth minute but they could only muster a single goal from a total of 28 shots.

"When you're playing a team that's fighting for their lives it's not going to be easy," said Guehi. "Whoever thought it was going to be easy clearly doesn't know football.

"I'm glad everyone did their jobs today and dug in and most important today was just to get the win."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City beat Burnley 1-0 to hit the summit of the Premier League for the first time in eight months.

With each goal potentially proving crucial in a tense title race, City may view a victory with a solitary Erling Haaland goal as a missed opportunity to boost their goal difference.

Guardiola said: "We played a really good game. Unfortunately we missed a lot of chances. We defended better in the second half and we had less problems.

"I was not frustrated, why would I be? We won three points, we are top of the league. Of course we can do better but the guys did everything."

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: "The players, coaches and fans of Arsenal watching this will be thinking 'will Manchester City play like this against other better teams?' They could trip up.

"There should be urgency to kill the game off, but it is also the goal difference part - it could become vital in the title run-in and you would have thought this was an ideal opportunity."

Phil Johnson, a chartered member of the British Psychological Society's division of sport and exercise, told BBC Sport: "One of the gifts that Guardiola has is his strong emotional connection with his players, with the staff and with the fans. This is crucial to the whole culture of the club. He is getting players to perform significantly well - some of whom may be considered to have gone past their best.

"What we are seeing with Arsenal is something I often see when I work with swimmers and runners. They are so close to the finish line that for a moment they imagine that they've already won - their bodies and their brains just kind of relax that little bit more and they get pipped to the post.

"I often use the queen bee analogy to demonstrate leadership. She has a pheromone - like an energy - which keeps the bees happy. She travels round and touches the bees with her own pheromone.

"This keeps the whole group tight together. It's like Guardiola is the queen bee at Manchester City and has got the right pheromones going through his hive at the moment."