Brighton vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Keen to bounce from their home defeat to Tottenham, Pep Guardiola takes his Man City side to the south coast to take on Brighton on Sunday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Peacock
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock Premium
Brighton preview: Convincing cup win
Brighton came up short in Everton's first Premier League game at Hill Dickinson Stadium last weekend, losing 2-0 to the Toffees, who scored in either half.
The Seagulls restored some confidence on Wednesday though, taking Oxford Utd apart in a 0-6 victory at Kassam Stadium. 19-year-old striker Stefanos Tzimas was a particular plus point, with the summer signing scoring twice on debut.
Man City preview: Cracks still remain
Man City lost at home to Tottenham last weekend - the second season in a row they have suffered that fate - in a match that saw them spurn plenty of opportunities to breach the Tottenham rearguard.
With the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal both sitting on maximum points from the first two games, Pep Guardiola knows his side will be caught adrift should they suffer any more slip-ups in the early stages of the season.
Brighton team news: Rutter situation unclear
Fabian Hurzeler was unsure whether Georginio Rutter, who unexpectedly missed out last weekend, would be fit for this one, while Solly March and Julio Enciso are still working on their respective recoveries.
Adam Webster could miss the entire season with his knee ligament injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, O'Riley, Mitoma; Welbeck
Unavailable: Webster (Injured), March (Injured), Enciso (Injured)
Questionable: Rutter (Injured)
Man City team news: Ait-Nouri boost
Despite going off in the first half against Spurs, Rayan Ait-Nouri has been declared fit-and-available and could start once more, especially if Josko Gvardiol is not yet ready to make the squad.
It remains to be seen whether Rodri makes his first Premier League start of the season, after the Spaniard made a bench appearance last weekend.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Reijnders, Rodri, Gonzalez; Bobb, Haaland, Marmoush
Unavailable: Bettinelli (Injured), Phillips (Injured), Kovacic (Injured)
Questionable: Gvardiol (Fitness), Phillips (Injjured), Savinho (Injured)
Brighton vs Man City prediction
Guardiola will see it as vital to bounce back in this fixture so that his side can go into the first international break of the season on a positive note.
The fact that Rodri is edging back to full fitness is a huge boost though, and they have to be seen as favourites against a Brighton side who are still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season.
The predominant battle is likely to be in midfield here, with Carlos Baleba's role for the hosts set to be an integral one. Should City manage to win that particular battle, they should be leaving the AMEX with three points.
Brighton vs Man City tip: Man City to win
