Man City operates in the absence of the recognized striker in the Southampton match

Southampton 0-1 Man City

Objectives: Raheem Sterling (£ 11.4 million)
It helps: Kevin de Bruyne (£ 11.9 million)
Reward points: Rúben Dias x3 (£ 5.6m), Kyle Walker x2 (£ 6.2m), John Stones x2 (£ 4.8m), João Cancelo x2 (£ 5.5m)

All you can do …

Manchester City’s goalscoring woes continued in their 1–0 win over Southampton at Gameweek 14.

Despite 25 shots on the Saints, Pep Guardiola’s men found the net only once, and the result was even more disappointing for the citizens by a 7-0 thrashing of Liverpool at Crystal Palace.

You can be sure Fantasy Premier League managers have noticed this disparity, too, not least in case Raheem Sterling (£ 11.4 million) and Kevin De Bruyne (£ 11.9 million)

The pair scored eight and five points, respectively Mohamed Salah (£ 12.4 million) and Sadio Mane (11.9 million pounds) 16, 9 points.

It has been a constant problem for City of course, especially compared to Liverpool.

The latest results mean that in their last four matches, the Reds have scored 14 goals against four Nationals.

Accordingly, while Salah averaged 10.8 points per game in that period, De Bruyne scored 6.5 points per match.

Moreover, it can be said that Al Masry has more attractive short-term formulations as well. After hosting Newcastle next time, Manchester City travels to play Everton and Chelsea. But during that time, Liverpool host West Bromwich Albion, and travels to Newcastle and then Southampton.

Without teeth in attack

Manchester City definitely hasn’t helped in terms of his attacking abilities at Southampton with the latest injury news.

Gabriel Jesus (9.2 million pounds) missed a trip south due to a problem with his teeth, while … Sergio Aguero (£ 10.3m) was still ready enough to secure a spot on the bench.

“He had a dental condition in the last game and he is unavailable.” Pep Guardiola

Guardiola’s solution to the heart attack problem was to summon the winger Ferran Torres (6.9 million pounds) for the start of the Premier League since the tenth round.

Despite showing him decently in October and November, especially in European Games and his country, the Spaniard did not find space to add much to Manchester City’s attack on Saturday.

The same was true Riyad Mahrez (8.4 million pounds), who replaced Torres in the 71st minute.

It was the attacker’s role that hampered Manchester City the most this season, and in front of Southampton, it definitely caused de Bruyne potential problems on points.

The Belgian was deprived of space to turn around and extend opposing defenses against West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United, and he had a lot of it in Saint Mary’s.

He finished at the top of the list of chances (four) but only Sterling was able to convert.

The most painful moment of the match for the owners of De Bruyne was in the 53rd minute when he fired an excellent pass on a board in his favor. Bernardo Silva (£ 7.4m), who scratched bullets.

Rolling stones

John Stones (£ 4.8m) continues to slip under Fantasy’s radar, return to the starting line-up against Southampton and score his fourth clean sheet in four matches. For the second outing in a row, the former Everton man earned two extra points as well.

The lockdown itself has become all the more impressive given that this was Southampton’s first tie at home this season, having scored at least two goals in every game at St Mary’s so far, even though they lost. Danny Ings (8.4 million pounds) for a hamstring injury in the first half.

“It’s a hamstring problem. I’m not sure how much, but obviously we were risking another 90-minute match when he played twice a week after a long injury, so hopefully it wasn’t so bad.” Ralph Hasenhüttl

Either way, Stones should be credited with making Gameweek 13’s draw with West Bromwich Albion, which he missed, was the only game since Gameweek 10 (his first start since Gameweek 2) that Manchester City gave up.

The reason behind this is that Stones form quickly with excellent grasp Robin Dias (5.6 million pounds), he got the ball back and allowed his central defender to push it forward.

Manchester City has yet to give up when the two start a game together, and with what could count as a respite at Week 13, the Stones should be pressing to participate throughout the Christmas period.

Until recently, Dias was the only City defender worth considering reliable starts, given Guardiola’s periodic rotation. Joao Cancelo (£ 5.5m) Kyle Walker (£ 6.2 million) and Benjamin Mendy (5.9 million pounds) via the left and right-back sites.

However, four matches starting from five, as well as an impressive record in those matches, require a serious study of stone fantasy, especially with Blank Gameweek 18 at the back of our minds.

Southampton XI (4-4-2): McCarthy. Bertrand, Vestergard, Bednark, Walker Peters; Genebo (Redmond 59), Romeo, Ward Prause, and Walcott; Adams (Nlundulu 82), accomplished (Tella 41).

Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson. Cancelo Dias Stones Walker; Rodri, Gundogan; Sterling, De Bruyne, P Silva; Torres (Score 72).