Defending champions Manchester City have a very tight schedule this month, including crucial Premier League clashes, a Carabao Cup semi-final, and two Champions League games in the league phase. Following back-to-back draws in the league, Manchester City are desperate to get back on the winning track when they welcome Brighton and Hove Albion tonight at Etihad Stadium. The Citizens are still in the title race, having 42 points with only six points behind the table topper Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Brighton are not in their best form this season as they were last season. The Seagulls are now in 10th with 28 points. So Man City should seal all three points tonight at Etihad Stadium.
Stats & Facts
- Manchester City have won 31 of their 33 matches played on Wednesday. Moreover, the Citizens have won 22 successive games in the EPL played on Wednesday.
- Erling Haaland scored in each of his last four appearances against Brighton. However, Haaland has failed to score in any of his last four matches in a row in the league.
- Manchester City have not lost a single game against Brighton at Etihad Stadium.
- Brighton have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their 17 meetings against Manchester City.
- Man City have been able to keep 9 clean sheets this season – most in the league.
Team News
City boss Pep Guardiola has a tense situation ahead as many of his players are unavailable due to injuries. Ruben Dias picked up a hamstring injury and will be out of the team for at least four to six weeks, while Josko Gvardiol will miss the rest of the season. Man City will also miss the service of Oscar Bobb, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, and Savinho due to their respective injuries. Meanwhile, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are not included in the squad due to their participation in the AFCON.
As for Brighton, Mats Wieffer, Carlos Baleba, Solly March, Adam Webster, and Stefanos Tzimas are out of the team due to injuries. Brighton striker Danny Welbeck has to lead the attacking line, but he has a very poor record against Manchester City. Welbeck has not scored in any of his last 9 games at Etihad.
Possible Lineup for Manchester City:
Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly; Rodri; Cherki, Foden, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland
Possible Lineup for Brighton & Hove Albion:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Gomez, Ayari; Gruda, Rutter, Mitoma; Kostoulas
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Brighton
As many players are unavailable for Manchester City, it can’t be said that Manchester City will easily win the match. Moreover, the Citizens had a goalless draw against Sunderland following another draw against Chelsea. They must win the game to stay alive in the title race. But Brighton are not in good form yet can challenge the defending champions. Therefore, we expect a tight match between the two teams, with Man City having a better chance of winning.
Betfair Odds
Man City: 1.48
Draw: 4.80
Brighton: 6.00
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