Man City v Brighton – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Man City host Brighton at the Etihad Stadium . City have surprisingly lost three of their last four matches in all competitions. The Seagulls are winless in four fixtures with 11 goals conceded and have lost on their last seven trips to Pep Guardiola’s side.

Man City Form

Guardiola’s side won their first eight matches of the season, including a win on penalties against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup. After thrashing Fulham 5-1 from just nine shots, they won 3-1 at West Ham and 3-1 at home to Red Star Belgrade. After beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 at home, they surprisingly lost 1-0 at Newcastle in the League Cup.

A shock 2-1 loss at Wolves followed as they equalised but could only remain level for eight minutes. Two late goals then sealed a 3-1 win at RB Leipzig in the Champions League but they were beaten 1-0 last time out. A late goal saw a 1-0 loss at Arsenal to end a run of 12 straight league wins versus the Gunners. At home, it’s 13 league wins in a row with 37 goals scored.

Man City Team News

City remain without captain Kevin De Bruyne in midfield. Rodri has served his three-match ban and will start at the base of the midfield. John Stones is fit again and may resume his hybrid role from last season. In that case, either Nathan Ake or Josko Gvardiol would drop to the bench.

Further forward, Bernardo Silva may return to the flank with Julian Alvarez not likely to start after his travel from South America. Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish are both options to play on the left if Phil Foden moves into a more central role.

Man City Motivation

Man City will be eager to shake off their recent slump and make it 14 home league victories on the bounce. They will be aware of Brighton’s buildup patterns and Guardiola will have a plan to stop them.

Anything less than a win would be seen as a poor result. City will push until the end to win the match if the scores are level.

Brighton Form

The Seagulls made a remarkable start to the league season, winning five of their first six matches with 18 goals scored. Their only loss in that run was 3-1 at home to West Ham but they responded with three consecutive 3-1 wins of their own, at home to Newcastle, away to Man Utd, and at home to Bournemouth.

The latter win at the Cherries was a response to a 3-2 home loss to AEK Athens in the Europe League. They’re now winless in four matches, first losing 1-0 at Chelsea in the League Cup and then being roundly thrashed 6-1 away to Aston Villa. They’ve since come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away to Marseille and from 2-1 down to rescue a 2-2 home draw with Liverpool.

Brighton Team News

Roberto De Zerbi is without Julio Enciso due to a long-term injury. Left-back Pervis Estupinan is ruled out with Tariq Lamptey set to cover at left back if fit. If the latter also misses out, then Solly March may be used there once again.

Kaoru Mitoma should be available after a virus and James Milner is back in contention. Jan Paul Van Hecke and Igor Julio are competing to partner Lewis Dunk in defence. Carlos Baleba and Simon Adingra are set to keep their places after impressing against Liverpool.

Brighton Motivation

De Zerbi won’t change his style of play, even against Man City. Brighton will look to play out from the back against City’s high pressing and will look to assert themselves on the champions.

The visitors won’t settle for a draw and will play to take all three points.

Key Stats

City have 13 home league matches in a row (37-8 aggregate)

Man City have lost 3 of their last 4 matches in all competitions.

City’s Haaland is goalless in 4 club matches.

Brighton have conceded 10 goals in their last 3 matches.

Brighton have lost 5 of their last 9 away league matches.

Brighton have lost their last 7 away matches vs Man City

Verdict

The Seagulls are having a recent dip and they’re leaking plenty of goals. City may have had some poor recent results but they should have too much for De Zerbi’s team. Both sides are expected to score but Man City are tipped to win with Haaland returning to scoring form.