Prediction: Brighton vs Manchester City

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

In what could be a real party atmosphere from the Amex on Wednesday night, Brighton will welcome Manchester City to the south coast.

Brighton

Starting with the hosts, while Brighton might have been left stunned by that 4-1 drumming away at Newcastle last week, Roberto De Zerbi’s side came roaring back a few days ago. Eventually breezing their way past an already-relegated Southampton thanks to a 3-1 victory on home soil, the one-time Sassuolo boss has seen his high-flying squad gain a string of plaudits. Making real history last weekend as it was confirmed that they have booked a maiden European finish, the Seagulls find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Aside from suffering an infamous 5-1 defeat against Everton on May 8th, De Zerbi’s men have gained a reputation for their continued success at the Amex. Including their 3-1 win against Southampton over the weekend, Brighton have suffered just a single Premier League defeat in front of their own supporters since a 1-0 loss at the hands of Fulham on February 18th. Although the Seagulls might be a real underdog pick on Wednesday night, they could be smelling the chance to spring a heavyweight upset.

Team News

Brighton have already confirmed that Solly March will miss Brighton’s final two games after suffering a thigh injury earlier in the month. Likewise, the Seagulls will also be without the likes of Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey and Adam Webster in midweek.

Bagging a brace against Southampton over the weekend and continuing to impress since bursting onto the scene, 18-year-old sensation Evan Ferguson will spearhead De Zerbi’s attack here.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, collecting yet another Premier League crown over the weekend as they secured a 1-0 victory at home against Chelsea, Manchester City appear to be breezing their way to real history in 2023. Now winning five of the last six domestic crowns, it is no secret that Pep Guardiola’s side are tipped as a landslide pick to complete a famous treble-winning campaign over the final few weeks. Punching their Champions League final ticket on May 17th as they secured an iconic 5-1 aggregate win against Real Madrid, the former Barcelona boss has seen his side ride a major wave of momentum. In fact, unbeaten in each of their last 24 straight appearances across all completions – a run that stems all the way back to February 5th – City have also gained a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third. Likewise, claiming a 3-1 win when they welcomed Brighton to the Etihad for their reverse top-flight battle on October 22nd, Guardiola will be hoping for a repeat display here.

Team News

Missing each of City’s last four appearances across all competitions, Dutch defender Nathan Ake is not expected to feature at the Amex on Wednesday night. However, the ex-Chelsea starlet is the only injury concern that Guardiola has on his hands at the Amex.

Making a string of changes for their 1-0 victory against Chelsea over the weekend, the likes of Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer will be hoping to keep their places here. Likewise, back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega could once again start between the sticks.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Premier League meeting on October 22nd, Manchester City picked up a 3-1 victory at the Etihad.
• The Sky Blues have also won 11 of their previous 12 meetings against Wednesday’s opponents.
• Likewise, the newly-crowned Premier League champions have won each of their last 12 straight top-flight appearances.
• However, including a 3-1 win against Southampton over the weekend, Brighton have lost just a single matchups at the Amex since back on February 18th.
• Three of the last four meetings between Brighton and Manchester City have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Two sides who have enjoyed their own history-making campaigns in 2023, neutrals will be hoping for an enjoyable showdown on Wednesday night. While Manchester City might be in the midst of a staggering 12-match Premier League winning run, Guardiola’s side will know that they should face a real challenge on the south coast. Watching Brighton punch a maiden European ticket over the weekend as they claimed a 3-1 victory at home against Southampton, the Seagulls could be smelling the chance to make a heavyweight statement in midweek. It should be noted, with three of the last four meetings between Brighton and Manchester City finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome from the Amex.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster