Manchester City will look to recover from consecutive losses when they host Brighton & Hove Albion. The Seagulls are looking to snap a four-game losing streak in all competitions. The Citizens are trying to avoid losing in the top division for the first time since 2016.
Preview (Manchester City vs. Brighton & Hove Albion)
The October international break may have been a welcome opportunity for Man City to regroup after an unusual run of three losses in four games across all competitions; the lone triumph during the previous four weeks was a 3-1 Champions League group-stage victory over RB Leipzig. After losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League and Newcastle United in the EFL Cup, City was hoping that their victory over Leipzig would serve as a springboard to improve their situation ahead of their matchup with Arsenal in the top flight. But a poor performance and a late deflection goal by Gabriel Martinelli condemned the Citizens to back-to-back league losses for just the second time, as they lost just 1-0 in North London.
After eight games, Man City only managed one shot on goal against the Gunners. It is shockingly the fewest shots a Guardiola team has ever mustered in a league match. As a result, the reigning top-flight champions are now sitting in third place in the standings. They are two points behind both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. The absence of lynchpin Rodri due to suspension correlated with City’s domestic slump. Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring hot streak faded momentarily before he laced up for Norway’s international team. Guardiola, nevertheless, is optimistic that his team “will come back stronger”.
Man City will undoubtedly appreciate their return to the Etihad this weekend after suffering their recent wobble over four straight-away games. In their last 20 games across all competitions, they have won every game. They have scored 65 goals and given up only 10 goals. They have 11 wins, 2 draws, and no losses in their last 13 home league matches versus Brighton. City has defeated the Seagulls nine times in a row, with an overall record of 24-3. This included a 3-1 triumph the previous season.
Team News
Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring ailment is the sole injury concern for Man City. However, John Stones might start his first Premier League game of the season after recovering from a muscle issue; the defender played an hour in England’s 3-1 victory over Italy on Tuesday in Euro 2024 qualification. Rodri, who served a three-game domestic suspension, is also available to Guardiola. The Spaniard is anticipated to resume his deep-lying midfield role, starting next to Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, or Rico Lewis. After playing in a deeper midfield role against Arsenal, Bernardo Silva is expected to compete with Phil Foden for a starting spot on the right wing, with Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku pushing for the left.
Regarding Brighton, James Milner (muscle) and Tariq Lamptey (knock) are both questionable and will be evaluated prior to kickoff. Illness forced Kaoru Mitoma to withdraw from the Japan team during the international break. The winger should be ready to play this weekend. He will join Joao Pedro and either Evan Ferguson or Danny Welbeck up front. Simon Adingra might stay on the right wing, while Solly March could play a makeshift left-back role in the absence of Estupinan and possibly Lamptey as well. It is difficult to imagine this match ending without goals at both ends. Two of the Premier League’s most visually appealing teams, led by two of the most creative managers in the business, will face off in an exciting and fun match.
Manchester City 3 – 2 Brighton & Hove Albion
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