Southampton play host to Manchester City at St Mary’s on Saturday with both sides looking to build on the victories they picked up last time out.

Saints picked up their second win in the space of three days as they followed up their 3-1 success at home to Crystal Palace with a crucial 1-0 triumph against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns last weekend, despite being without the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Oriol Romeu, Steven Davis and Manolo Gabbiadini.

Claude Puel’s side are now just four points behind the eighth-placed Baggies with two games in hand, and they will be looking to finish an arduous campaign strongly.

Meanwhile, City picked up their first win in four games with a 3-1 victory against Hull City at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday which has boosted their chances of finishing in the top four and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Both Saints and City have key players that can be the difference in a match, and it will be no different this weekend.

Here are five key battles that could decide which way the result goes…

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg vs. David Silva

Silva continues to be City’s key creator and magician in the centre of the pitch, and the Spaniard has made 71 chances in 29 Premier League appearances this term.

Meanwhile, with Oriol Romeu missing through suspension and Steven Davis absent because of an ankle injury, Hojbjerg and Jordy Clasie were given rare Premier League starts in the win against West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

The Dane will be keen to show manager Claude Puel that he deserves to be a regular starter next season, and he will need to keep a close eye on Silva at St Mary’s.

Shane Long vs. John Stones

With January transfer window hit Manolo Gabbiadini unlikely to be risked until he is 100% after picking up a groin problem in the match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane last month, Long could get the nod up top as he did against Crystal Palace and West Brom last week.

The Republic of Ireland international is a pest and doesn’t believe in lost causes, and Claude Puel will look for him to put the likes of Stones under pressure from the off.

The England defender likes to play out from the back – as do the rest of the City defence – but they will have to be aware with someone like Long around.

Jack Stephens vs. Sergio Aguero

While it perhaps hasn’t been his best Premier League season after sometimes struggling to get into Pep Guardiola’s starting XI because of his style of play, the Argentina international has still shown his world-class ability by scoring 16 goals in 25 top flight appearances.

His movement and finishing is brilliant and marking him will be another huge test for Stephens, who only mad his Premier League debut for the club in January.

Since then he has come up against the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Daniel Sturridge, and the 23-year-old will know that he needs to be at his best when Aguero comes to St Mary’s.

Nathan Redmond vs. Jesus Navas

Redmond was deployed as more of a striker in the early stages of the season but he has looked far more comfortable in a left-sided role in recent weeks.

With his pace and direct running, the 23-year-old causes problems for defenders on a weekly basis and he comes into the clash against City in fine form after scoring three goals in his last five Premier League matches.

He could come up against Navas, who has impressed at right-back in the last couple of matches despite his natural position being a winger.

Cedric Soares vs. Leroy Sane

With four goals in 19 Premier League appearances, Sane has enjoyed a solid first season in English football.

The 21-year-old has started City’s last 10 matches after being in and out of the side under Pep Guardiola earlier in the campaign, and he has been frightening defenders with his electric pace.

He may meet his match in that respect on Saturday though, as right-back Cedric has a fair bit of speed too.

The Euro 2016 winner loves to get forward and Sane will need to track back with the Portugal international when the Saints are attacking.