Prediction: Brighton vs Manchester City

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Turning their attention back to Premier League action on Saturday evening, Manchester City will travel to the Amex when they meet Brighton.

Brighton

Starting with the hosts, while Brighton might have continued to receive plenty of plaudits since Fabian Hurzler’s arrival at the Amex over the summer, the Seagulls are seeking some recent stability. Suffering a second-half collapse away at Liverpool as they eventually slumped to a 2-1 loss at Anfield, the former St. Pauli boss has seen his squad suffer back-to-back defeats over the past week. Slipping out of the European spots, Brighton have collected just a pair of wins from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Watching their EFL Cup adventure come to an end on October 30th as they suffered an action-packed 3-2 defeat at home against Liverpool, Saturday’s hosts have also shown some extended defensive issues. In fact, Hurtzler’s side have conceded at least a pair of strikes in seven of their last eight outings.

Team News

While Lewis Dunk might still be dealing with a recent calf injury, Brighton are hopeful that their skipper will be able to return to Hurtzler’s squad. However, although former Watford marksman Joao Pedro might be inching towards a first-team return, the Brazilian striker still remains a doubt on Saturday evening.

Enjoying what has been a sensational Premier League romp this season and already notching six top-flight goals, former England international Danny Welbeck will lead Brighton’s charge. Cementing his spot as Hurtzler’s number one choice, Bart Verbruggen will keep his place between the sticks.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, suffering what was an infamous Champions League collapse earlier in the week, Manchester City suddenly find themselves at the heart of a real struggle. Eventually falling to an infamous 4-1 drumming at the hands of Sporting Lisbon, the Sky Blues are desperately seeking some kind of boost. Shockingly suffering a 2-1 loss against Bournemouth last weekend, the defending champions have lost three consecutive appearances for the first time since 2018. Likewise, crashing out of the EFL Cup on October 30th following a 2-1 defeat away at Tottenham, Pep Guardiola will certainly have a mounting headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. Despite heading into October’s international break with an action-packed 3-2 win against Fulham, Man City have recorded just a trio of clean sheets from any of their previous 12 matchups across all competitions.

Team News

Undergoing knee surgery last month, Manchester City are expected to be without midfield talisman Rodri for the remainder of the season. Likewise, Guardiola’s side have already confirmed that Portuguese defender Ruben Dias will once again miss out on Saturday evening through injury.

Making a brief cameo appearance off the bench away at Sporting Lisbon in midweek, Kevin De Bruyne could get some Premier League minutes for the first time since the middle of September. Returning to the Etihad over the summer, Ilkay Gundogan could start at the heart of City’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Brighton and Manchester City last met back on April 25th, the Sky Blues collected a 4-0 romp at the Etihad.
• Man City have collected 16 points from their previous six Premier League meetings against Brighton.
• City’s 2-1 loss away at Bournemouth last weekend was their first Premier League defeat away from the Etihad over the past 11 months.
• The Seagulls have conceded at least a pair of goals in seven of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
• Nine of the last 11 meetings between Brighton and Manchester City have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Suffering an infamous Champions League collapse away at Sporting Lisbon in midweek as they fell to a 4-1 drumming, Man City find themselves desperately seeking some kind of boost. Remarkably losing three appearances on the bounce for the first time since back in 2018, Guardiola’s men have continued to show some glaring defensive struggles. It should also be noted, with Brighton shipping at least a pair of goals in seven on their last eight outings, we could be treated to another pulsating affair this weekend.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet