After their narrow defeat away to Arsenal before the international break, Manchester City make their return to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday seeking to return to winning ways.
Pep Guardiola’s team savored a blistering start to the campaign, winning eight out of eight at the start of the season in all competitions, but their recent blip in form has them seated third in the table standings heading into this game.
A 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on 27th September invited more losses as they lost 2-1 and 1-0 to Wolves and Arsenal respectively- both losses in the Premier League.
As they welcome Brighton to the Etihad, they will be hoping to avoid a third successive defeat in the league. Not since 2016 have they gone on such unwanted run.
A return to the Etihad presents them with a perfect opportunity to end that run as they have won each of their last 20 games across all competitions at home which is a club record.
Brighton are hoping to end a four-game winless run in all competitions this term, but considering their record against Man City, this might not be the game for that.
The Seagulls have lost 11 of the 13 games against City at the Etihad. Worse, City have won each of their last nine home games against Brighton by an aggregate score of 24-3, including a 3-1 victory last season.
The fact that Brighton have just one win in their last five games in all competitions, beating Man City will be a tall ask. Brighton have also beaten City only once in the league, that victory coming in 2021 in form of a 3-2 win.
If they by any chance manage to get all the three points, they will go above City in the table standings. City currently sit third with 18 points while Brighton are sixth with 16.
Manchester City welcome midfield gem Rodri back to the squad after serving his three-match domestic ban. John Stones will also be in contention to start his first Premier League game of the season after recovering from a muscle problem.
Man City’s only injury concern is Kevin De Bruyne who is out with an hamstring injury.
As for Brighton, they are without Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder, and Pervis Estupinan due to injuries while James Milner and Tariq Lamptey will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Brighton fans will hope Kaoru Mitoma who withdrew from the Japan squad during the international break due to illness, and who just extended his stay at club until 2027 will have shaken off the illness for a return to the starting XI.
