Manchester City need their star striker to fire against Brighton | OneFootball

Manchester City face a pivotal Premier League fixture today against Brighton at the Etihad Stadium. Today’s match is crucial in the chase for Champions League football for next season. Pep Guardiola’s side sit fifth in the Premier League table on 47 points. Fabian Hurzeler’s side is seventh on 46 points. Today’s match is massive and could shape the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Big matches typically bring out the best in the best players. On that front, Manchester City will need Erling Haaland to fire today to aid their cause to pick up a crucial three points.

Erling Haaland put in a subdued performance in Manchester City’s 1-nil loss to Nottingham Forest last weekend. City’s top-scorer was nullified by a stubborn Nottingham Forest defence and Nuno Espirito Santo’s tactics. Forest is a tough nut to crack, and Pep Guardiola’s side couldn’t achieve that last weekend. A lack of service from his teammates saw Haaland rendered ineffectual at the City Ground.

Manchester City can’t afford to have Haaland once again subdued in today’s match. As mentioned above, today’s match is crucial for both teams. But the way Brighton play could play into Haaland’s hands. There will be space in the game, given the way Brighton typically plays. Fabian Hurzeler’s side are a possession-based team and do typically play with a high defensive line. The opportunities and space Haaland needs to thrive may be there today at the Etihad. It will be up to City’s number 9 and his teammates to take full advantage of that. If they do it could help Haaland fire his team to a crucial victory today. Plus if Haaland is on and up for the game his teammates usually follow his lead. Haaland has become a tone-setter for Manchester City, and his challenge is to fire and provide leadership for his team.

A milestone looms for Erling Haaland as Pep Guardiola pointed out yesterday.

If Erling Haaland picks a goal or an assist today it will be his 100th Premier League goal involvement for Manchester City. The fact that he could pick up such a remarkable milestone in potentially only 94 appearances for the club speaks to Haaland’s dominance. That fact wasn’t lost on Pep Guardiola but he wants even more from Erling Haaland. Speaking about the impending milestone for Haaland Guardiola told the media: “I’ve been with Messi, but it’s incredible what Erling has done. “And I want more. I want more for Erling. He has to help us. He has to help us more and more and more to achieve what we want to do this season. But the numbers are unbelievable since he arrived. Being part of that in every game. Hopefully he can reach you know that the little record [100 Premier League goal involvements] tomorrow.”

Manchester City will be hoping that Erling Haaland fires today against Brighton. If he does it may see Pep Guardiola’s side seize the initiative in the race to qualify for the Champions League for next season. But Haaland will need service to do that, so it will be up to Phil Foden, Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, Omar Marmoush or whoever else starts for Pep Guardiola’s side to provide Haaland with the service he needs to fire. That’s the challenge for Haaland’s teammates, and if the chances come, he has to take them. If he does it may set Manchester City on their way against an in-form opponent.