Manchester City will lock horns against Brighton & Hove Albion on matchday 9 of the English Premier League on Saturday, 21st of October, at Etihad Stadium.
The European most-watched league will be back on the screen this weekend after a short International break across Europe.
The current European champions Man City will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Roberto De Zarbi men on Saturday afternoon.
The Cityzens will do all they can to avoid a third consecutive top-flight loss for the first time since 2016, while the Seagulls will be hoping to end a four-game winless streak in all competitions.
The recent International break came at a good time for Man City to settle following an unexpected three defeats in four games across all competitions.
Pep Guardiola and his team suffered a back-to-back defeat at the hands of Newcastle United and Arsenal in the Premier League.
Man City will indeed approach this weekend’s EPL return to the Etihad with a positive impact where they have secured a victory in each of their last 20 matches in all competitions.
The current Premier League champions have an impressive record against Brighton as they have never lost in 13 last home league matches, winning 11 while recording two draws.
Pep Guardiola has won each of his last nine home games against the Seagulls, including a 3-1 victory during the 2022/2023 Premier League campaign.
Brighton have also had their share of loss form over the last month, winning just one of their previous five games across all competitions.
Roberto De Zerbi would be very proud of his team due to the current results they have, securing a 2-2 draw in their last two games against Olympique Marseille and Liverpool in the Europa League and Premier League respectively.
Manchester City vs Brighton team News
Kevin De Bruyne who is nursing a hamstring could miss the game, but John Stones is on the blink of starting his first Premier League game of the season after recovering from a muscle injury.
Pep Guardiola will also welcome Rodri back to the squad after a three-game suspension and the Spanish International is expected to return to the midfield role alongside Mateo Kovacic.
Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez, and Erling Haaland are all expected to be available for Man City.
On the other hand, Brighton are expected to be without some of their key players, with Julio Enciso, and Jakub Moder both suffering from knee injury, Pervis Estupinan, and James Milner nursing muscle injury, while Tariq Lamptey will remain a doubt due to a knock he had.
Kaoru Mitoma flew back to England from International duty due to illness, but the Japanese winger should be able to get back to the starting lineup this weekend and could join Joao Pedro, Evan Ferguson, and Danny Welbeck in the attack.
Manchester City vs Brighton Potential lineups
Manchester City;
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland
Brighton & Hove Albion;
Steele; Veltman, Dunk, Webster, March; Baleba, Gross; Adingra, Pedro, Mitoma; Ferguson
Man City vs Brighton H2H
During the two teams’ last five meetings, Man City have secured five wins while Brighton recorded five defeats.
Man City vs Brighton, Kickoff time and venue;
The match between the two teams is scheduled to be played on Saturday, 21st of October, 2023, at the Etihad Stadium by 3:00 pm (BST)
Prediction;
An interesting and entertaining game is expected from two of the Premier League’s most attractive clubs to watch, led by two of the most tactical experienced managers in the game, and it is hard to predict this result without goals at both ends.
Therefore, due to Man City’s recent record against Brighton, we say that the Cityzens will secure all three points at Etihad with a score of 3-1.
