Manchester City will go top in the Premier League for at least 24 hours should they avoid defeat vs Southampton on Saturday afternoon - but three pundits are predicting a landslide victory for Pep Guardiola and his star-studded team at the Etihad Stadium (3pm).
Having totted-up 20 points from a possible 24 this season, City remain unbeaten and favourites to win yet another title, which would be their fifth in five seasons. However, as things stand, they trail table-topping Arsenal by a point with the Gunners not in action until Sunday afternoon.
Here is what three high-profile pundits think will happen in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon;
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Chris Sutton - BBC Sport
Writing in his latest BBC Sport column, Sutton said: "There are strong rumours that Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is about to get sacked, which must be great news when you are about to play Manchester City. While the Saints drew with City home and away last season, it is hard to see them getting anything this time around or even coming close.
"You could see Pep Guardiola's side running up a cricket score here, if they wanted to, but with the busy schedule he seems to be happy for them to take their foot off the gas when the game is won. Because of that, I'm not going to go too big here. I can see City scoring four goals quite quickly and then cantering through."
Score prediction: Man City 4-0 Southampton
Paul Merson - Sportskeeda
Sharing his predictions, Merson added: "How many do you want? It could be anything... I'm going 4-0 and this is where we are with Manchester City at the moment. Not many times in Premier League history do you go into a game thinking one team has zero chance of winning, but that seems to have happened quite often with Pep Guardiola's teams in recent years.
"In order for Southampton to stand a realistic chance of getting anything out of the game, they need to score two goals at the Etihad Stadium, which in itself is quite the challenge. However, they are also going to have to deal with Erling Haaland, who looks like a one-man wrecking ball at the moment.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he gets another hat-trick but, as I said before, it depends on who plays in midfield. If the likes of Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne continue to start regularly behind the Norwegian, he'll score more than 40 across all competitions and break all sorts of records."
Score prediction: Man City 4-0 Southampton
Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power
Lawrenson continued: "This is a question of how many.
"City have lost Kyle Walker with a groin injury, but that won't stop them. Southampton lost to Everton last week and they are officially struggling. I'm a fan of Ralph Hasenhuttl, but I don't fancy Southampton at City. I don't fancy anyone at City!"
Score prediction: Man City 4-0 Southampton
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