Rodri And Trafford To Start | 4-2-3-1 Manchester City Predicted Lineup Vs Southampton | OneFootball

Manchester City will lock horns with Southampton at Wembley Arena this Saturday as they look to secure a win in the semifinals of the FA Cup. The Mancunian giants managed to earn a narrow 1-0 victory over Burnley recently, which should keep them in good spirits going into this game.

Pep Guardiola will set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make a couple of tweaks to his first team for this game. Rodri and James Trafford could play from the start of this clash, while Rayan Ait-Nouri and Gianluigi Donnarumma make way for them and drop to the bench.

4-2-3-1 Manchester City Predicted Lineup To Face Southampton

Defence

James Trafford will get a chance to shine in goal for Man City as he looks to keep a clean sheet at Wembley this weekend. Marc Guehi will continue to play alongside Abdukodir Khusanov at the centre of Guardiola’s defence as they look to keep a good shape on the defensive end of the field.

Matheus Nunes will fill in as the right-back, while Nico O’Reilly looks to make a difference on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will have to pick and choose their moments to join in on the attack.

Nathan Ake and Rayan Ait-Nouri will provide cover for the defensive positions on the bench.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City is challenged by Quilindschy Hartman of Burnley during the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor on April 22, 2026 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Midfield

Bernardo Silva and Rodri will operate as the holding midfielders for Guardiola’s side as they look to establish their superiority over the opposition at the centre of the park.

The gifted trio of Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo will function just ahead of them as part of the Man City attack. All three of them need to be at their best if the Mancunian giants are to secure a solid win this weekend.

Nico Gonzalez and Savinho will make up the numbers on the bench as they wait for their chance to influence the game in the second 45 minutes if required.

Attack

Erling Haaland will spearhead Man City‘s attack up top. He would be eager to keep his good form going in domestic football.

Omar Marmoush will have to be content with a place on the bench and might come on to make an impact in the final quarter if needed.