Brighton v Man City match preview
Both Manchester City and Brighton will be looking to bounce back from defeats when they meet on the south coast on Sunday.
City had produced an opening-day performance at Wolves that pointed to them being strong contenders to regain the Premier League title. However, they were insipid at home to Tottenham last week, slumping to a deserved 2-0 defeat.
It has been a frustrating start to the season for Brighton, who conceded a late equaliser against Fulham in their opener before being punished for profligacy in a 2-0 loss at Everton.
City have won 19 of their 30 Premier League encounters with the Seagulls, but were beaten in this fixture last season, Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley delivering a late turnaround after Erling Haaland’s opener.
But Pedro is now a Chelsea player, and Fabian Hurzeler’s men have been far from clinical in front of goal, scoring just once despite having the fourth-highest Expected Goals (3.91) in the league so far.
Yet the face Brighton have created such good chances speaks to the quality they possess, and Pep Guardiola knows City can ill-afford to take them lightly.
“A really good team,” Guardiola said of Brighton in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“They proved it last season and the previous ones. Since a long, long time, it’s a really good team.”
Brighton v Manchester City team news
Brighton Centre-back Adam Webster suffered a long-term knee injury during pre-season and winger Solly March is still working to fully recover from experiencing the same problem during a game at City in October 2023.
Defender Josko Gvardiol and midfielder Mateo Kovacic are out for City but talismanic midfielder Rodri came off the bench against Tottenham as the Spain international steps up his comeback following a long-term knee injury.
Guardiola said left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is available despite being forced off through a first-half injury against Tottenham.
Winger Savinho is expected to return next month from an issue sustained in a pre-season friendly at Italian club Palermo.
Guardiola has praised James Trafford’s “big personality” following the goalkeeper’s crucial mistake for Tottenham’s second goal last Saturday but the England international could make way for Brazil counterpart Ederson.
Trafford rejoined City from Burnley last month for a package that could amount to a record £31 million for a British goalkeeper.
Brighton v Manchester City predicted line-ups
Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, O’Riley, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Manchester City: Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Reijnders, Rodri; Bobb, Silva, Marmoush; Haaland.
Is Brighton v Man City on TV? Channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Sunday is at 14:00 BST. It will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. It can be streamed on Sky Go and is also available through NOW TV.
