Manchester City will look to get back to winning ways when they host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League this weekend.
Manchester City are coming into the game against Brighton & Hove Albion on the back of two consecutive defeats in the Premier League. So, Pep Guardiola will demand a strong performance from his players.
The reigning Premier League champions are currently two points adrift of league leaders Tottenham, and they will look to climb to the top of the table with a win here.
Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion are sixth in the league table, and they will look to close in on the top four with an impressive away performance. The Seagulls have shown that they can give anyone a run for their money on their day, and they will look to cause all sorts of problems for a vulnerable Manchester City side.
𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘
🆚 Brighton
🏆 @PremierLeague
🎙️ @PepTeam
⤵️ Tap to watch live— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 20, 2023
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne is ruled out until January with a thigh injury. Other than that, Manchester City have a fully-fit squad to choose from. They are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ederson Moraes in goal.
Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol all will be deployed as the full-backs. Both players will look to help out in the attack and protect the central defenders. Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji will start alongside Ruben Dias at the heart of the defence.
In the midfield, Bernardo Silva will start alongside Rodri. While the Spanish international will look to protect the back four, Silva will look to add creativity and control to the side.
Julian Alvarez will be deployed as the central attacking midfielder here, with Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku on the wings. Finally, Erling Haaland will lead the line for Manchester City against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Silva, Rodri; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Brighton & Hove Albion
The visitors are without Julio Enciso because of a knee injury. Pervis Estupinan is sidelined with a thigh injury, and both players are likely to return next month. Brighton will start in a 4-2-3-1 formation as well, with Bart Verbruggen in goal.
Joel Veltman and Solly March will be deployed as the full-backs. The two players will look to create counter-attacking opportunities and protect the defenders. At the heart of the defence, Jan Paul van Hecke will start alongside Lewis Dunk.
In the midfield pivot, Pascal Gross will start alongside Carlos Baleba. The two players will look to protect the central defence and initiate counter-attacking opportunities. Joao Pedro will be deployed as the central attacking midfielder with Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma on either side of him. Finally, Evan Ferguson will lead the line for the visitors.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, March; Gross, Baleba; Adingra, Pedro, Mitoma; Ferguson
Key Stats
- Manchester City have won their last seven home matches against Brighton & Hove Albion in all competitions.
- Manchester City have been winning at both half-time and full-time in six of their last seven home matches against Brighton in all competitions.
- 20 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
- Brighton & Hove Albion have conceded 15 goals in the last six matches across all competitions.
- Four of the last six meetings between these two sides have seen both teams get on the score sheet.
Player to Watch
Erling Haaland
PEP 💬 (On the Ballon d'Or) [Erling] Haaland should win, yes. We won the treble and he scored 50 goals but of course, Messi, the worst season of Messi is the best of the rest. They both deserve it. I would say I want Erling because he helped us achieve what we have, I would love… pic.twitter.com/h2k9PpIhm0
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 20, 2023
The Norwegian international has been outstanding for Manchester City this season, scoring eight goals in eight league matches, and he will look to continue his fine run of form here.
Brighton & Hove Albion have conceded 16 goals in 8 league matches this season, and Haaland has the quality to expose their defensive vulnerabilities. The Manchester City striker is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Manchester City 3-1 Brighton
Manchester City are undoubtedly the better team here, and they should be able to grind out all three points. Brighton are likely to put up a fight but they have been quite poor defensively and they will struggle to contain the Manchester City attack. A high-scoring game is on the cards here, and Manchester City should be able to win with a comfortable 3-1 margin.