TEAM NEWS
Kevin de Bruyne, Benjamin Mendy, Eliaquim Mangala and Claudio Bravo are all still injured. Brighton pair Pascal Gross and Dale Stephens are out with respective ankle and hamstring problems.
Manchester City look set to rotate their squad ahead of the Champions League next week, with Riyad Mahrez in line to start after scoring twice as a substitute against Cardiff.
Jose Izquierdo stepped up his fitness by playing an Under-23 game on Monday. Summer signing Florin Andone awaits his debut, having been on the bench last weekend on his return from a groin injury.
MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES
@alistairmann01: A week away from their mouth-watering duel with Liverpool, Manchester City could strike a decisive psychological blow by ensuring they arrive at Anfield above Jurgen Klopp’s side in the table.
If the champions beat Brighton, then only a win for the Reds at Stamford Bridge will prevent that occurrence – and with events in west London commencing once this match has concluded, there’s even greater incentive for City to ensure there are no unexpected slip-ups.
The Seagulls arrive at the Etihad with just two wins since early March but it’s ironic that both of them have been against Manchester United, the only league opponents City have succumbed to in their last 21 league matches.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: “Brighton have been together a long time, they know what they have to do. They are really well organised. It will be a really tough game, but we know that and we will try to do a good game.
“I know what they have done against Manchester United and at Anfield (against Liverpool). They played so well in the second half there.”
Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton: “Along with playing Liverpool away, I would say that this is the toughest game. We did okay in the Liverpool one and might’ve got a result there, so you always have to be positive going into games like this.
“No-one expects us to get anything from it, so that’s normal and that pressure is taken off, but we want to do as well as we can.”
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
I have talked before about how good Brighton are at fighting back in games but it is not positive that they seem to have to go behind before you see a reaction.
It is Manchester City they are playing this week so I think we can forgive them if they do ship a goal or two.
Prediction: 3-0
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Manchester City completed a Premier League double over Brighton last season, including a 3-1 win in May’s corresponding fixture which was City’s final home league game of 2017-18.
- Brighton have never won at Manchester City in eight previous attempts (D2, L6).
- The Seagulls’ last league win over City was a 2-1 home victory in the second tier in April 1989.
Manchester City
- Manchester City’s sole defeat this season came in their last home match, a 2-1 Champions League loss to Lyon.
- They have won back-to-back games in all competitions since that defeat and scored eight goals without reply in the process.
- Pep Guardiola’s side have dropped only four Premier League points from the last 36 available (W10, D2).
- City have scored a league-high 19 goals this season.
- Sergio Aguero has scored 14 goals in his last 10 home league matches.
Brighton & Hove Albion
- Brighton have won only two of their last 15 league games, both against Manchester United.
- They are without an away league victory in 16 matches since last November’s 1-0 win at Swansea, and have failed to score in 11 of those fixtures.
- Brighton are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
- The Seagulls have scored twice in each of their last three Premier League fixtures.
- Since the start of last season, a league-high 17 penalties have been awarded in matches involving Brighton (11 for, six against).
- Glenn Murray has scored half of Brighton’s all-time Premier League away tally of 12 goals.
Source: BBC News
