Team game
Everything so far this season has almost exclusively been about Erling Haaland.
It is what happens when all eyes are on you to see if you can cut it at Manchester City in a new league, and it is definitely what happens when you score 19 goals in 12 games. As much as this campaign has been about City's excellence, it has been the Haaland show.
At some point, he has to stop scoring. And while Southampton at home does not seem like it will be the fixture for it to happen, Pep Guardiola does have some cavalry options that can take the headlines away from their sensational No.9.
Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne were rested for the midweek win over Copenhagen so it would be a big surprise for them not to come back in, and anything like their levels from the derby will set them up for post-match attention. Then there is Jack Grealish, who has done everything but score in the last two games and has been backed to start racking up the goal contributions by his manager.
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In good company
City have scored 29 goals from their opening eight games, which is something only the Centurions team in 2017/18 have been able to match in the history of the league. Four goals against Southampton on Saturday will see them match the most after nine matches - set by Roberto Mancini's team on their way to winning the title in 2012.
City have scored in every game this season and have been particularly prolific at the Etihad where Haaland has banged in three consecutive hat-tricks in the league. It will take everything Southampton have to change that.
Has Mahrez done enough?
Riyad Mahrez got just his fourth start of the season in all competitions in the Copenhagen win, and while he struggled to show his rhythm he was able to get on the scoresheet with a second-half penalty.
Guardiola had been clear that the Algerian is not at his best, but was Wednesday's performance enough for the manager to give him another chance here? The teamsheet will reveal all.
Signs of progress
City have been so good for so many years under Guardiola that it can be difficult to spot real signs of improvement. But after failing to beat Southampton in either league game last season, this would be an indicator of progress for this year.
Ralph Hasenhuttl may be in a spot of bother but he knows how to make City suffer, and Guardiola knows that too. Having already beaten Palace at home to get rid of one bogey fixture in the calendar, Southampton are another.
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