Man City v Brighton: Preview and Betting Tips | EPL 2025

City have lost five of their last nine matches whilst the Seagulls have won six straight matches in all competitions and are top four contenders.

Match: Man City v Brighton
When: Saturday, 15 March 2025, 17:00
Where: Etihad Stadium

Man City Form

City have lost five of their last nine fixtures. An awful 5-1 loss at Arsenal was followed by a 2-1 win over Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola’s team lost 3-2 at home to Real Madrid with two late goals leaked.  A 4-0 home win over Newcastle came next.

Two defeats followed, 3-1 loss at Real Madrid to exit the Champions League and 2-0 at home to Liverpool. Whilst two wins followed, 1-0 at Tottenham and 3-1 at Plymouth with a heavily rotated team, City were beaten last weekend. A late 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest came despite having 69% possession.

Man City Team News

Pep Guardiola still has the same five players out injured. Rodri and Oscar Bobb have not played all season whilst John Stones and Nathan Ake are having constant niggles.

Manuel Akanji is also absent in defence where Abdukodir Khusanov is set to partner Ruben Dias. Mathues Nunes may play at right back once again. Omar Marmoush will hope to return to the XI in attack after being dropped of late.

Man City Motivation

This is a key match if City are to make the top five and qualify for the Champions League. Their gap to Brighton is just one point.

Guardiola’s side will try to play their usual game but there is no spark in attack and the defence looks exposed.

Brighton Form

The Seagulls are flying right now. After losing 1-0 at home to Everton and 7-0 at Nottingham Forest in an awful display, they’ve won six straight matches. A 2-1 home win over Chelsea in the FA Cup was followed by a 3-0 league win at home over the same opponents.

Brighton smashed Southampton 4-0 away and beat Bournemouth 2-1 at home. The club scored in extra time to win 2-1 at Newcastle in the FA Cup. Last weekend, a 98^th minute winner sealed the three points in a 2-1 home success over Fulham.

Brighton Team News

Brighton have eight injury issues for this match. Igor Julio and Ferdi Kadioglu are injured at the back but both Lewis Dunk and Joel Veltman are nearing a return. James Milner will play no part and Matt O’Reilly’s first season at the club continues to be marred by injury issues.

Tariq Lamptey returns after a one-game ban at right back. Coach Fabian Hurzeler will have Solly March on the bench. With a settled side, Danny Welbeck could be on the bench despite his recent winners vs Bournemouth and Newcastle.

Brighton Motivation

The Seagulls will be hugely motivated for this game. They will see City as a winnable match in the chase for a Champions League spot.

Expect to see Hurzeler’s side play on the front foot and look to exploit the space that City are currently giving opponents.

Key Stats

Man City have lost 5 of their last 9 matches in all competitions

City have won 3 of their last 4 home EPL matches

Brighton have won their last 6 matches (4 in the league, 2 FA Cup)

Brighton have won 3 of their last 4 away league matches

Brighton won their last meeting vs City (after 5 defeats in 6 vs them)

Verdict

A good game awaits. The visitors are playing with more consistency and confidence. City could be set for a rude awakening in this one.

Bet Bet: Brighton win/draw double chance at 2.15

Value Bet: Brighton win at 4.70
Goalscorer Tip: Joao Pedro to score anytime at 3.55