If Manchester City are to put last season’s trophyless campaign behind them and set the tone for another Premier League title push, there are worse places to do it than Brighton.
City’s results against Fabian Hürzeler’s team epitomised their struggles last term, with Brighton claiming victory at the Amex Stadium before securing a 2-2 draw at the Etihad. To put that in perspective, the Seagulls had previously taken just four of a possible 42 points from City since winning promotion in 2017.
Brighton remain a force to be reckoned with – alongside Brentford they were the fifth-highest scorers in the division last season – and the significance of the challenge will not be lost on Pep Guardiola, particularly after last weekend’s home defeat against Tottenham.
More will be expected from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, both of whom failed to capitalise on inviting opportunities in that game, while it remains to be seen whether James Trafford’s unconvincing performance will pave the way for Ederson to return in goal.
Having drawn with Fulham on the opening weekend before losing at Everton, Brighton are yet to record a league win this season, although Wednesday night’s 6-0 Carabao Cup rout of Oxford United will have done morale no harm. Hürzeler made 11 changes for the trip to the Kassam Stadium, and it will be intriguing to see if any of the players who featured in that thumping win can force their way into the reckoning.
Manchester City put four past Wolves on the opening weekend, and much will depend on whether Haaland can mark his 100th Premier League game with a more clinical performance than he produced against Spurs. The visitors may also call on Phil Foden, who is working his way back from a minor pre-season ankle injury but loves nothing better than a trip to Brighton, where he has scored six goals in as many games.
While Brighton have struggled to convert their chances in the league so far this season, only three times have a higher expected goals figure. If Hürzeler can coax a more clinical display from his team, a draw would seem the most likely outcome.
Brighton vs Manchester City team news
Georginio Rutter could return to the Brighton attack for the first time this season, although he is unlikely to start. Adam Webster and Solly March remain sidelined.
Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol are both expected to be available, while full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has recovered from the ankle injury that forced him off against Tottenham last weekend.
Brighton vs Manchester City predicted lineups
Brighton: Bart Verbruggen; Mats Wieffer, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Maxim De Cuyper; Carlos Baleba, Yasin Ayari; Yankuba Minteh, Matt O’Riley, Kaoru Mitoma; Danny Welbeck
Manchester City: James Trafford; Rico Lewis, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez, Bernardo Silva; Oscar Bobb, Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush.
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