Verdict: Over three goals
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Looking to close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the table, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side will welcome Brighton the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, appearing to bounce back from their 2-1 shock home defeat to Lyon in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola’s men have once again found their form in the final third. Picking up a 3-0 win over lower league Oxford to book their spot in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, the Sky Blues also impressed in their 5-0 win over Cardiff last weekend. Yet to be beaten in the Premier League since April, the hosts are also the bookies favorites to retain their title. Now scoring 10 in their last three outings, one man to watch could be summer signing Riyad Mahrez. Since moving from Leicester, the Algerian winger now has three in his last two in all competitions. Guardiola’s side also have an impressive record against their opponents, the last time the two sides meet back in May, City put three past the Brighton. Already finding the net 19 times this season, City once again comfortably hold the best-attacking stats in the Premier League.
Team News
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.
Kevin De Bruyne, Eliaquim Managala and Claudio Bravo are all still injured.
Brighton
As for the visitors, although their confidence was at a high after their historic 3-2 win over Manchester United last month, Chris Hughton’s side have begun to show some defensive issues. While they did come from 2-0 down to steal a point off of both Fulham and Southampton, it will be their recent defensive issues that will be the biggest concern to the former Newcastle manager. Coming off the back of a 2-1 loss to a struggling Tottenham side at the Amex last weekend, the Seagulls have now conceded two goals in each of their September outings. In fact, conceding 11 already, the visitors hold the third worst defensive record in the Premier League. Still looking for their first clean sheet of the season, the Seagulls form on the road has also been nothing short dier. Brighton have failed to win any of their last 14 Premier League matches on the road, a run stemming back to November 2017.
Team News
Brighton pair Pascal Gross and Dale Stephens are out with respective ankle and hamstring injuries.
Jose Izquierdo is nearing a return to fitness and Florin Andone is under consideration to make his debut.
Key Factors to Consider
- All three of City’s matches at the Etihad have seen over three goals at full-time.
- Winger Riyad Mahrez now has three in his last two in all competitions.
- With 19 goals in the Premier League already, City hold the best-attacking record in the top flight.
- Brighton have failed to win any of their last 14 away matches, a run that goes back to November 2017.
- The last time the two sides met in Manchester, City came away with a 3-1 win.
Conclusion
On paper, it is incredibly hard to see Chris Hughton’s side come away with anything on Saturday. Now conceding two in each of their September outings, the defending Champions will undoubtedly be looking as this to make a statement to Liverpool. Coupled with the fact that Brighton hold the worst away record in the Premier League and are still looking for their first win on the road in 2018, we’re backing a routine high-scoring victory for Manchester City
Verdict: Over three goals
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
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