Forget Dixons. Forget HMV. Forget Argos. The Etihad Stadium was probably the place to be for the best bargain-busting Black Friday deals. Manchester City got into the spirit of things a little bit too early last Saturday. They were practically giving things away as Liverpool left Eastlands with FOUR goals and three points. Will be they similarly as generous in this afternoon's visit of Southampton? Put it this way - Willy Caballero is in nets. And Martin Demichelis will probably be about 10 foot in front of him. American shopping malls yesterday would look as tranquil as a Buddhist's temple compared to the carnage these two could cause this afternoon.

Oh, and they'll be up against Sadio Mane, who probably sprinted to Manchester from Southampton like the T1000 that he is. We think that the jet-heeled winger will be used as a striker today in the absence of Graziano Pelle, who is suspended.

We've dropped plenty of names without knowing for sure if they're playing. I can confirm they are. All of them. But while we bring you full team news, why not take a trip down to Sports Mole HQ to see what the lads are saying about this one. Go on.

CITY XI: Caballero; Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Kolarov; Delph, Fernandinho, Toure, Sterling, De Bruyne; Aguero

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Stekelenburg; Yoshida, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Davis, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Romeu; Long, Mane

CITY SUBS: Wright, Clichy, Fernando, Silva, Navas, Iheanacho, Bony

SOUTHAMPTONS SUBS: Davis; Clasie, Tadic, Martina, Juanmi, Ramirez, Caulker

Starting with Manchester City, Pellegrini makes four changes from the side that lost 4-1 to the Reds last weekend. We knew about Joe Hart's absence as Caballero puts his gloves on for the first time since his horror show at White Hart Lane last month. Further forward, Eliaquim Mangala, who scored an own goal versus Liverpool, drops out for Nicolas Otamendi, who is charged with the task of making sure Demichelis doesn't do something ridiculous. He's the babysitter this afternoon, while Vincent Kompany, very much the single father in this analogy I feel, remains sidelined.

In midfield, Fabian Delph displaces Fernando to start alongside Fernandinho. Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne provide wide support, while Yaya Toure, in his favoured attacking midfield role, starts behind lone striker Sergio Aguero. Big news - David Silva is back on the City bench for the first time in six weeks. Bigger news - Richard Wright is back on the City bench for the first time in six years. It might be less than that. It's a while anyway.

Earlier on we said it was Otamendi's job to prevent Demichelis from doing something stupid this afternoon. He's already failed, because unless our eyes are deceiving us, Demichelis has turned up wearing a burberry scarf with a Manchester City tracksuit.

On to our friends from the South Coast now and, as expected, Mane partners Shane Long up front for the Pelle-less Saints. In defence, Cedric Soares makes way for Maya Yoshida, while Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse also come into the fold. Four changes for the Saints overall following their morale-sapping 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City last time out.

What would the manager of your club have picked up in the Black Friday sales? Arsene Wenger, who'd rather be in Syria than a shopping centre yesterday one should think, might have snapped up a first-aid kit to heal his walking wounded. Jose Mourinho might have picked up a pair of steel-toe boots because, let's face it, Chelsea need a great big kick up the you know what. Louis van Gaal could do with gaffer tape for the mouths of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. And maybe some shooting boots for Wayne Rooney. But Pellegrini? The Chilean could have gone with the latest photoshop software because, you know, City have been crying out for a bit of creativity - but Silva's return changes that dramatically.

The diminutive Spanish magician has been out of action since early October, in which time City have struggled. He returns to the squad today, which is excellent news if you're a Sky Blues fan. Forget Raheem Sterling, or Kevin De Bruyne - Silva remains the hub of his side's creativity and his return to fitness is simply massive.

We've been a little unfair on City thus far, but it's worth pointing out that they'll move top of the Premier League for a few hours if they win this afternoon. It's a top-of-the-table clash down at the King Power, a sentence which has nobody ever, ever said, as leaders Leicester City host Manchester United at 5.30pm. If the spoils are shared there, and City edge out Southampton, then Pellegrini's troops will stay top for at least a week - unless Arsenal go and smash Norwich by about six goals tomorrow.

But will they win? They've been about as unpredictable as a drunk Diego Costa playing roulette, and without Kompany, you simply can't rule out an away win.

Pellegrini's side have lost three Premier League games this season. They've been beaten 2-1 at home to West Ham United, which ended a five-match winning streak earlier in the campaign, before going down 4-1 to both Spurs and Liverpool. Ominously, Kompany was absent for all of them. Without him, things simply go belly up.

We touched on Mane already, but he's such a nuisance. He's only got three goals under his belt so far, which isn't outstanding by his standards, but when he's in the mood, watch out. In September, he single-handedly annihilated Chelsea as Southampton won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, which might suggest that he's something of a big-game player. Okay Shane Long is no Pelle, or Pele, but the Irishman certainly has goals in him too. He's netted once in two Premier League starts, having missed much of the campaign through injury.

It's been a strange season for Koeman's side, who definitely don't look as rip-roaring as they were this time last season. This time last year, they were second behind eventual champions Chelsea. Fast forward 12 months and they're eighth. Their win at Stamford Bridge was certainly the flagship result in an otherwise inconsistent season. I quite fancy them to leave with something this afternoon, though.

PREDICTION! Segue? Check. Eighteen minutes until kickoff? Check. Prediction which won't materialise? Check. We're going for a 2-2 draw. Okay City's defence is about as stable as Miley Cyrus, but they've simply got far too much attacking quality. They have the talent to score more goals than the opposition but, even still, Southampton are no mugs and we fancy a draw.

Let's see what those lovely souls on Twitter are saying about this one.

So the score or? Word to the wise: never bring this bloke to a bookies.

Spike might or might not know that Caballero and Demichelis are starting.

Even though he's typing in.....a foreign language of some description, the word 'spillet' and Richard Wright definitely belong in the same sentence.

Martin and Willy might be going with you, Liam.

Five minutes to go my friends. I can confirm it's very wet at the Etihad, to the point where we can refer to it as the Wetihad for the next two hours or so. Will the conditions have a positive or negative effect on City? We'll find out. Stay tuned.

KICKOFF: And we're off at the Wetihad, my friends. Southampton, playing from right to left, kick us off. The pre-match suggestions were that Sadio Mane would lead the attack along with Shane Long, but he's on the right so far.

SAVE! It's a fast and furious start from City as a wonderful ball from Toure plays in Sterling, whose first-time half volley is parried by Stekelenburg. Mayhem then ensues in the box as Stekelenburg almost picks up a pass back from Fonte, but the Saints survive. Promising start by the hosts.

City have a free kick in a promising area now as Aguero is fouled by Romeu I think. There's no left foot of Silva, and it certainly favours a left footer, but it'll be Kolarov...

SAVE! What a fine stop this is from Stekelenburg, who keeps out as Kolarov's wonderful curling free kick. He drops the ball initially, but he gathers it. Aguero went sliding into the bottom corner, but he didn't bring the ball with him.

Can we get Ronald Koeman some baggier trousers at half time? The Dutchman is sporting what can only be described Adidas yoga pants. We know there's a burberry scarf in the Manchester City dressing room. All he needs is a few smashed teeth and no morals and he's all set for a trip to Jeremy Kyle.

Taxi for Maya Yoshida! What is the Southampton right-back thinking about. He dithers in possession, before having his pocket picked by Sterling as the jet-heeled winger gallops away from him and slides the ball across for De Bruyne, who simply taps home on the line. If Koeman does get on JK he's got the headline sorted: "I want to kill my right-back".

CHANCE! Good lord Southampton aren't at the races at all. Romeu plays a horrendous ball to Wanyama, who is beaten to the ball by Delph who plays through Aguero, but Stekelenburg is off his line well to thwart the danger. Saints are architects of their own downfall here.

Saints haven't responded to the early goal one bit. They've been truly horrendous, with Yoshida particularly brutal. Unless someone in red and white stands up, this could be nasty.

The conditions don't help Southampton, but Manchester City are also affected by it. All of their play is coming down the left-hand side as Sterling and Kolarov team up to bully Yoshida.

If Southampton were a dog you'd have to shoot them. City have been superb, but Southampton have been truly terrible. The ball falls to Delph on the edge of the area. The ex-Aston Villa midfielder lashes a first-time shot, which deflects off Van Dijk and totally wrong foots Stekelenburg. It's just far too easy. Prior to that, Davis cleared a Fernandinho header off the line with his hand.

OFF THE BAR! Wow. Southampton have been pony but they're unlucky here, as centre-back Van Dijk, who's on the edge of City's box for some reason, lashes a fierce drive against the crossbar from about 25 yards. It was a fine effort.

Let's be honest - we ripped the you know what out of Demichelis prior to kickoff, but Otamendi has looked far more shaky so far. Okay Southampton haven't tested them a whole lot, but so far, Otamendi looks like the weak link.

Speak of the devil, Otamendi comes in and clears out Mane on the edge of the box in a truly stupid foul. This is dangerous...

CLOSE! Ward-Prowse take the free kick and curls just wide. Southampton fan way down the other end celebrated. Bless.

More bad news for Southampton as Long goes down in agony following a knee into the back from Otamendi. Actually, Jose Fonte is also down injured. I think both will be okay. It never rains but it pours, eh?

Hmm, this isn't ideal. Southampton are down to 10 men for a while as Fonte goes down the tunnel to receive some stiches on a knee wound. Wanyama will fill in at centre-half for the time being.

CHANCE! Should be 3-0. Simple as. De Bruyne somehow beats Bertrand to the ball before pulling back Sterling, who takes a touch and leans backs before firing well over the crossbar from about 10 yards. Here's Steven Caulker. It doesn't look like Fonte is coming back.

SUB: Yep, Saints forced into a sub as Caulker replaces Fonte. Everything is going wrong for the Saints.

Southampton look like ending his half on a positive note it seems as they apply some pressure. They'd love a goal before the break.

SAVE! Yep, much better from the Saints as Shane Long runs off the shoulder of Otamendi before drilling a first-time shot at goal, but Caballero parries it away.

That's it for the first half at the Wetihad and so far so good for the hosts, who lead 2-0 courtesy of goals from De Bruyne and Delph following a rip-roaring first 15 minutes or so. From there, they've been asked with a few questions, with stand-in goalkeeper Caballero making a few saves, but overall City are comfortable - very comfortable. Pellegrini demanded a response and he's getting it. No doubt. Still, the Saints did enough to suggest there's goals for them in the second half. If not for an error-laden first quarter, it's probably 0-0 instead of 2-0. Still, we'll see.

RESTART! We were late finishing the first half, so we're late back, but we are back and that's the important thing. City get us underway again. As it stands, City are heading top for a few hours at least!

SUB: Incidentally, Dusan Tadic has replaced Romeu at the break, which isn't surprising because the Spaniard was abysmal.

Huge cheer echoes around the Wetihad now as Silva warms up pitchside for the first time in six weeks. Might we see him? They don't need him at the moment, but if they do, he's there.

Now then! Where did this come from? We flagged Demichelis as a potential disaster prior to kickoff, and Long gets the run on him hear to head home a wonderful Sadio Mane cross. Game on at the Wetihad, my friends. What a great 40 minutes we've got ahead of us.

Southampton have grabbed this second half by the short and curlies, making that infamous Vinnie Jones and Paul Gascoigne incident look affectionate rather than malicious. It's all them at the moment, but City always look a threat on the counter.

BOOKING: First yellow card of the day as Ward-Prowse is booked for a sliding foul on Sterling.

BOOKING: Good grief. Demichelis nearly kills Shane Long in an incident which saw the Irishman land on his neck! The Argentine is quite rightly booked. He's getting worse as the minutes tick on.

This is brilliant defending from Caulker as he stands up Sterling, forcing him on to his left and then concedes the corner, which comes to nothing. City are slowly but surely coming back into it.

SHOT! Yep, City getting stronger now as Toure curls into the arms of Stekelenburg from just outside the box. One man we haven't mentioned is Aguero, who has done literally nothing in either half so far.

SAVE! Sweet mother of god what is Demichelis doing? He gets out of the way of Tadic's run as the Serbian literally jogs through one-on-one with Caballero, who makes an excellent save. We gave Caballero some pre-match stick too, but he's been excellent this afternoon.

SUB: Worryingly, Aguero limps off the field as he's replaced by Wilfried Bony. Aguero didn't look at the races at all.

SAVE! Is this Caballero or Gandalf? It's a 'you shall not pass' display from the Argentine stopper, who keeps out Steven Davis's left-footed drive now. It was an easy save, and he actually nearly parried it straight to Long so we might be giving him too much credit.

This is a fine finish as the Serbian left-back drills a half volley into the inner-side netting, but the credit must go to De Bruyne, who picked out the unmarked Kolarov with a brilliant lofted cross. Any way back for the Saints?

SUB: Here he is, the little magician himself. Derren Brown? Nope - David Silva! He's back for the first time in six weeks, replacing Sterling.

SUB: Thirteen minutes to go and Juanmi comes on for the booked Ward-Prowse, but it's probably too late for the visitors.

Ten minutes to go and Kolarov's eyes will be lighting up here as Toure wins a free kick just outside the box....

Hmm. This is disappointing. It's Yaya Toure who tried to bend it around the wall, but it wallops Davis in the face I think.

SAVE! Well Mane looks determined to make it a nervy last 10 minutes or so, but Caballero parries his effort for a corner, before then punching Tadic's delivery.

CHANCE! Wilfried Bony misses an absolute sitter to make it four, tapping over the bar from De Bruyne's wonderful cross. Actually, scratch that - he's been flagged offside.

That's it! Manchester City, who lost their previous two in all competitions, bounced back from their "bad week" according to Pellegrini by smashing Southampton 3-1. Well, not smashing, but it was relatively comfortable for them. Tadic had a golden opportunity to equalise at 2-2, only to miss a one-on-one with Caballero, who was actually very good all evening. Anywho, that's us. City are top - for the moment, at least - and we're outta here! Enjoy the rest of your weekend and don't do anything Martin Demichelis wouldn't do.