Manchester City are back in action in the Premier League as they take on Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues will be looking to move to the league's summit with three points as their two main title rivals - Arsenal and Liverpool - clash at the Emirates on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola's side are struggling to contend with injuries at the moment with six key players out against the Saints, but with heavy rotation expected against Tottenham Hotspur in midweek they'll have a week of recovery time before travelling to Bournemouth next Saturday.

Here are five things to look out for as City host Southampton:

Another low block for City to contend with

Russell Martin has his side playing eye-catching - if sometimes naive - football, but he'll need his side to sit deep in order to contain the City attacking force.

Sparta Prague sat deep in the first half against the Blues in midweek and were just a goal down at the break, but they pushed for an equaliser in the second period and City took them to the cleaners, scoring three goals in ten minutes on the way to a resounding 5-0 victory.

Beating the deep block relies on City to take the limited opportunities they have, whether that be the wingers putting in a good delivery after beating a man, Erling Haaland converting a chance created for him or one of the defenders or midfielders getting off a good effort from the edge of the box.

Set pieces are becoming more of a weapon for City, with John Stones' last minute winner against Wolves last week courtesy of a brilliant delivery from Phil Foden and a thumping header from City's number five.

All of these features combined when City are on their game can lead to a resounding win, but if Southampton sit tight and defend well a team of their quality will make breaking them down very tricky.

A sparse looking bench

This is the negative consequence of Guardiola's small squad philosophy; when they're faced with as many as six injuries it leaves limited options in the reserves.

Rodri is out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament tear, whilst Oscar Bobb won't play again until the new year following a break to his leg in training before the start of the Premier League season.

Jack Grealish is out for about a week, Jeremy Doku is out for "slightly longer" (according to the words of Guardiola) and Kyle Walker and Kevin de Bruyne should be back soon from injury but don't have a fixed return date.

The likes of Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic have stepped up to the plate well but anymore injuries could leave City in serious trouble with just 15 outfield players fit.

A big match for Nunes

The 26 year old's time at City appeared to be running out with many options ahead of him in central midfield and on the wings, but City's injury crisis has given him the chance to stake a claim for more minutes.

Two assists and a well taken penalty against Sparta Prague from the left wing certainly helped his case, as did his cameo substitute appearance against Wolves last week.

If Nunes does start and play well again, he can be considered to be firmly in the mix for a regular starting place along with the rest of City's attacking midfielders and continue the trend of previous Pep Guardiola signings such as Grealish, Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez by excelling in his second season.

Foden to resume his form from last season

Off the back of a goal and an assist against Slovan Bratislava, it took Foden just three minutes to get on the scoresheet after taking Manuel Akanji's pass on the turn and firing the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The 24 year old seemed to have a sense of flair and freedom restored in his game that he never really has playing for England or that he's shown so far this season, so it's an incredibly positive sign for all.

Other than Haaland, Foden is probably the only player in the squad who can be relied upon to hit double figures in terms of goals.

Now Julian Alvarez has left and De Bruyne can't stay fit reliably, there's extra pressure on Foden to be both a creator and goal scorer, but it's something he's beginning to take in his stride.

Haaland to score and play a big role.

But if Russell Martin's side are to sit deep and defend, Haaland's main role will be in City's build up.

The 24 year old will be needed to occupy defenders and create space for his teammates whilst remaining vigilant enough to pounce on any chances that might come his way.

Games like this are why Haaland has gone three without a goal in the league, but City have won two and drawn one of those matches so it can't be said they're properly suffering without him scoring goals.

I do think he'll break his barren run and bag against the Saints as Southampton have a tendency to shoot themselves in the foot when playing out from the back which will benefit Haaland immensely.

He'll get his goal, but I think it'll be late in the game when City are already leading and the game is already more or less sealed.