City find themselves in a surprising slump, losing three games in a row for the first time since April 2018. Midfielder Bernardo Silva admits the team is in a “dark place,” though Guardiola disagrees, remaining focused on the challenge ahead.
City’s tough week included back-to-back 2-1 defeats to Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup and Bournemouth in the league, followed by a 4-1 Champions League loss to Sporting Lisbon, where Manchester United’s future manager Ruben Amorim ended City’s record 26-game unbeaten run in the tournament.
Guardiola has emphasized his commitment to the “tough challenge” ahead and will look to help his team stop the skid before the international break. A win on Saturday could temporarily return City to the top of the league, at least until Liverpool play Aston Villa later in the day. City’s loss to Bournemouth last weekend snapped their 32-game unbeaten streak in the league, allowing Arne Slot’s in-form Liverpool to take a two-point lead at the top after their 2-1 win over Brighton.
Despite some defensive struggles and an injury-hit squad, City have good reason to feel optimistic; they’ve won 37 of 42 possible Premier League points against Brighton (W12 D1 L1). Meanwhile, Brighton are also looking to turn their fortunes around after back-to-back losses to Liverpool. They led at Anfield with a first goal from summer signing Ferdi Kadioglu, but Liverpool overturned the game with two second-half goals in quick succession, handing Brighton just their second league loss of the season.
Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton’s manager, voiced frustration after the Liverpool match, seeing it as a missed opportunity and urging his team to push harder against the league’s top sides. Brighton have let slip 10 points from winning positions this season, already close to last year’s total, with four of those points lost in their only two league defeats against Liverpool and Chelsea.
The Seagulls are unbeaten at home this season (W2 D3), matching their best top-flight home start since 1982-83. But facing Man City, who’ve beaten them in 13 of their last 15 meetings, will be a tough test. City’s last visit to the Amex ended in a decisive 4-0 victory back in April, so Brighton will have their work cut out to protect their strong home form.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Brighton will be missing Solly March (ACL) and both James Milner and Adam Webster (thigh injuries), who are all aiming to return after the international break. Manager Fabian Hurzeler has shared more encouraging news about Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley, who both have a "big chance" of making the squad after recovering from ankle injuries.Both Lewis Dunk (calf) and Yankuba Minteh (muscle) are doubtful and will be assessed closer to kickoff, while Yasin Ayari, who came off with an ankle issue against Liverpool, "might be an option for the weekend." Carlos Baleba, absent at Anfield due to a knee problem, is expected to be fit for Man City.
Danny Welbeck, in good form with six goals in 10 league appearances, has never scored in his 19 Premier League meetings with City, but he’s likely to start alongside Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma.
Man City will be without long-term absentees Rodri (ACL) and Oscar Bobb (leg fracture). Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Jack Grealish are also managing injuries and are expected back after the break. Kevin De Bruyne, returning from a nine-game injury layoff, has made appearances as a substitute and will likely continue to ease back into action off the bench.
Pep Guardiola will decide between starting Kyle Walker or Rico Lewis at right-back, and 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who made his senior debut on Tuesday, may be rotated for Nathan Ake in central defense. Jeremy Doku, now fit after a recent injury, is pushing for a start, while Erling Haaland, despite just one goal in his last five league games and a missed penalty in midweek, is expected to lead the attack.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan; Kadioglu, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Mitoma; Rutter, Welbeck
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan; Savinho, Foden, Doku; Haaland
EXPERT PREDICTION
Brighton 2-2 Manchester City
City can’t afford to slip further behind Liverpool or let Arsenal close the gap, but Guardiola’s squad seems a bit worn down and isn’t quite firing on all cylinders. A draw with the Seagulls could very well be on the cards this time around.
