The Premier League champions will want to get their season off to a hot start - and will see Southampton as the easiest of opening day fixtures.
Last season, City dismantled Swansea in their first Premier League game, and today could be no different.
WIth a lack of top quality signings arriving at St Mary's, Nigel Adkins is under pressure to show his squad are good enough to compete in the Premier League.
Jay Rodriguez has arrived for a whopping £7million from Burnley, but with Rickie Lambert and Billy Sharp already on the books, Rodriguez is unlikely to turn any heads this season.
Southampton's biggest struggle this season will be their defence. A good marker of how good their back line is will come today against City.
With the likes of Carlos Teves, Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and David Silva on show - Kelvin Davis is likely to have a busy return to the top flight.
Saints should not read too much into a possible heavy defeat. It may take Adkins' side a few weeks to find their Premier League feet, and also face Manchester United and Arsenal within their first four games.
Jack Cork will miss the opening game with an ankle injury, while City will be without Gareth Barry and Micah Richards. There are doubts also over the fitness of Mario Balotelli, Jack Rodwell and Joe Hart.
Although such a daunting prospect, an opening day visit to Manchester could be the best time to play City. Despite beaming with confidence from last season's dramatic clinch of the Premier League title - City won't be their best, and with with Saints having nothing to lose - they could cause an upset.
Saints don't have a great track record on the opening day of the season. Last year's win against Leeds was the club's first win since 1999. Although Southampton won't expect a good start, the team will learn an incredible amount in their first 90 minutes of Premier League football.
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