ANALYSIS KEY ISSUES FOR BLUES

MEMORY MAN JESUS

Gabriel Jesus will return to the scene of one of his greatest City moments harbouring a desperate need for a goal.

The Blues striker has yet to score since the re-start of football – indeed, of City’s 15 goals since the season resumed, precisely none of them have come from Jesus or their other main striker Sergio Aguero.

While that is not an issue in a team which has goals in it from all areas of the pitch, for Jesus himself it is critical.

He is a confidence player, and before the lockdown he was on a high after a goal and man-of-the-match performance in the 2-1 win at Real Madrid.

Players have good memories of certain grounds, and Jesus can draw on the last-minute goal which secured the 100-point haul in 2018 when he goes back to St Mary’s.

STONES SET UP

John Stones is still awaiting his first game since the restart, although his place on the subs’ bench for the last two games is encouraging.

Stones has had a difficult season, littered with injuries which have made it hard for him to gain any kind of momentum or form, and leading to increased speculation about his City future. Now would seem to be an ideal time to re-introduce him.

BOTTOM FEEDERS

City still need five points from six remaining games to be sure of a top four place which would secure a Champions League spot, if the CAS appeal is successful.

And the trip to St Mary’s is the first of five games against teams in the bottom eight, the kind of games which City normally breeze through.

FODEN FUN

The first name City fans will be looking for will be Phil Foden.

The excitement generated by his recent performances is reminiscent of the way they used to feel a sense of disappointment whenever David Silva didn’t play.

In that respect, Foden has already replaced the brilliant Spaniard.