Manchester City will look to bounce back from their recent setbacks as they host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The defending champions are embroiled in a fierce battle for a top-four finish and cannot afford another slip-up.
Meanwhile, Brighton arrive in Manchester as one of the league’s most in-form teams, brimming with confidence and eager to make history by completing a first-ever league double over City. With both sides in need of points for different ambitions, this encounter promises to be an enthralling battle.
Manchester City: A Battle to Regain Dominance
The reigning champions find themselves in unfamiliar territory, grappling with inconsistency in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. Nine league defeats so far this season, Guardiola’s joint-highest tally in a single campaign, have left City sitting fifth in the table, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Their fortress at the Etihad has shown cracks, with four dropped results in their last eight home matches. Last week’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest was another frustrating chapter, highlighting City’s struggle to finish off stubborn opponents. However, history is on their side; City have never lost a home game to Brighton, winning the last ten meetings in succession.
Guardiola’s men now face a crucial moment in their season, ten ‘finals’ to navigate in their bid for a top-four finish, starting with an opponent who will not be easily subdued.
Brighton: Soaring Seagulls Dreaming Big
Brighton have turned adversity into momentum, rebounding from a humiliating 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in February to string together six consecutive wins across all competitions. Their resilience was on full display last weekend, as they clawed back from behind to defeat Fulham 2-1 with a dramatic 98th-minute winner.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side sits in seventh place, just three points off the top four, though the ambitious manager has downplayed talk of Champions League qualification. However, the Seagulls have become a formidable force on the road, losing just twice in their last 11 away games.
Completing their first-ever league double over Manchester City would be a landmark achievement, and with the team riding a wave of confidence, they will believe they can make history at the Etihad.
Team News
Manchester City: Guardiola remains without key defensive figures Rodri (ACL), Nathan Aké (foot), Manuel Akanji (abductor), and John Stones (thigh). Oscar Bobb’s return timeline is also uncertain. Josko Gvardiol and Rúben Dias are expected to start, with a possible recall for Rico Lewis at right-back.
Phil Foden, who has netted eight times against Brighton—the most against any opponent in his career—may face rotation, with Omar Marmoush or Kevin De Bruyne in line for a start. Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish will compete for a spot in the attacking trident, with Erling Haaland leading the charge.
Brighton: The Seagulls remain without Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Igor Julio (thigh), James Milner (hamstring), Joel Veltman (knock), Jason Steele (shoulder), and captain Lewis Dunk (rib). Midfielder Matt O’Riley is also sidelined. However, Tariq Lamptey returns from suspension and could slot in at right-back, freeing Jack Hinshelwood to shift into midfield.
Georginio Rutter is expected to support Joao Pedro, who is in red-hot form, having scored in his last three league appearances.
Predicted Line-ups
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Gündogan; Savinho, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Webster, Estupiñán; Baleba, Hinshelwood; March, Rutter, Mitoma; Joao Pedro.
