Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How To Watch | OneFootball

Manchester City must rekindle some of their champions’ spirit as they attempt to set the record straight following three consecutive defeats across competitions.

It has not been a good 10 days for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City following the slender 1-0 victory over Southampton, have endured three straight defeats by an aggregate scoreline of 8-3 in the Carabao Cup, Premier League, and Champions League.

Losses to Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the League Cup, Bournemouth in the top-flight, and a disappointing 4-1 away defeat to incoming Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim’s Sporting has put a dampener on the mood at the Etihad Stadium in recent weeks.

Injuries have played a big factor in Manchester City’s struggles it must be pointed out, with the side’s depleted numbers and a constant run of fixtures taking its toll on a threadbare squad.

However, Pep Guardiola must use his experience to lift his players’ spirits. With the form of title rivals Liverpool and the potential for Arsenal to cut the points deficit, the Sky Blues cannot dwell on past results and allow this to become a regular occurrence.

Last time out, City felt the wrath of Vikor Gyökeres, who has been in electric form since making his move from Coventry City. The number nine netted a hat-trick, including two penalties, as the Portuguese side ran riot in the second-half of Tuesday night’s European affair.

City now travel to Brighton & Hove Albion, with Fabian Hürzeler’s team by no means a team to overlook. Having seen his team drop points in back-to-back games, the young German’s side sit eighth – a strong achievement considering he remains at an early stage of his career.

One player who has shone this season for the Seagulls is former Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck, with the Englishman having notched six goals in 10 league appearances – matching his best return for Brighton.

As Manchester City attempt to leave recent frustrations in the past, here is everything you need to know ahead of the encounter at the Amex Stadium on Saturday evening!

Match Details

Manchester City take on Brighton & Hove Albion away at the Amex Stadium on Saturday 9 November, with kick-off scheduled for 17:30 GMT.

Match Officials

Leading the teams out this weekend will be Sam Barrott, who is yet to officiate a Manchester City game this season but will be taking charge of his seventh Premier League contest of the campaign thus far.

To find the full list of referees for the clash on Saturday evening, tap here!

Team News

Pep Guardiola currently has five injuries to contend with, including the two long-term absences concerning Rodri and Oscar Bobb.

The problems have been compounded by the double injury status of Rúben Dias and John Stones, with Guardiola confirming that the Portuguese defender will be out until at least the international break, and City having missed his presence and leadership at the back.

As for Manchester City’s number five and recent last-minute goal threat, Stones is not expected to feature this weekend having suffered a foot issue. The hope is that his return will coincide with Dias’ to shore up the leaky defence after the break.

Jack Grealish remains on the sidelines and will not feature this weekend, and while there has been some confusion over his fitness status, the 29-year-old returned to Manchester City training on Friday ahead of his call-up to the England squad.

As for Saturday evening’s opponents, Brighton have several players out as well, with a centre-half pairing of Adam Webster and Lewis Dunk not expected to take part, which will likely see Igor and Jan Paul van Hecke partner in defence.

To add to the list, former Manchester City man James Milner has not featured since 31st August against Arsenal, and commenting on the 38-year-old, Fabian Hürzeler stated on 17th October that the Premier League veteran will remain sidelined for another few weeks.

Midfielders Yasin Ayari and Matt O’Riley both have the potential to return to the matchday squad this weekend, as the Dane is more likely to feature than Ayari and just having one of them back will be a big boost for the Seagulls.

Additionally, star man Joao Pedro is on the same track as O’Riley. It is likely that the Brazilian will be subject to a late fitness test ahead of the meeting with Manchester City, but the Southerners will be hoping for his return.

Summer signing from Newcastle United Yankuba Minteh could complete a trifecta of returnees, after the winger had previously missed four matches with a hamstring issue.

Finishing off the list is Solly March. Brighton’s number seven has suffered with a knee problem for a long while and whilst he is progressing, he is not expected to take part in this contest with his comeback pencilled in for the future.

Head To Head

Since their first meeting, Manchester City has matched up favourably with Brighton. Demonstrating their superiority over Saturday’s opponents, in 32 games the Cityzens have been victorious 21 times and lost just six times.

The Northern side have come out on top in the majority of clashes, with the largest scoreline coming in the form of a 0-5 away win for Pep Guardiola’s side in July 2020. On that day, Raheem Sterling opened the scoring within the first 25 minutes before netting a hat-trick. Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva also found the back of the next.

Last season, Manchester City completed a league double over Brighton. After winning 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in October 2023, Pep Guardiola’s side went to the Amex and steamrolled to a 0-4 away win on their way to the league title.

Brighton’s last win in this fixture came back in May 2021 under their former boss Graham Potter. In a close game, the Englishman led his side to a 3-2 comeback win having been 2-0 down, and goals from now-Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard, Adam Webster and Dan Burn turning the game on its head and completed a stunning comeback.

Statistics

Brighton have conceded more Premier League goals against Manchester City than any other side, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their 14 such matches.

Brighton are currently unbeaten in their five home league matches this season, winning two and drawing three. Only in 1982/83 have they gone on a longer unbeaten home run.

Manchester City’s 32-game unbeaten run in the Premier League ended against Bournemouth. They’ve only lost consecutive league games three times under Pep Guardiola in December 2016, 2018 and October 2023.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in five of Brighton’s last six Premier League matches.

Brighton have dropped a total of 10 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, only four points fewer than they did in the whole of last season. Four of those points dropped have come in their only two defeats of the campaign against Liverpool last weekend and Chelsea (4-2) in September.

How To Watch

For fans based in the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:30 GMT.

NBC Sport will be covering the clash in the United States.

You can find full global TV listings for the matchday eleven encounter in the Premier League HERE!

City Xtra will have full live coverage available on our X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram channels throughout matchday, with content also provided on cityxtra.co.uk and YouTube!