Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Carabao Cup Fourth Round): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How to Watch
Manchester City must pick themselves up and dust themselves off, following defeat on Saturday, as they prepare to face high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion in a return to Carabao Cup action.
City travelled to Villa Park on Saturday, a ground that has now seen them fail to win on five consecutive occasions. The 2-1 defeat marks Enzo Maresca's first defeat in the league since joining the eight-time Premier League Champions.
It didn't take long for the Villains to take the lead through Nicolas Jackson, as they capitalised on a dominant opening six minutes.
Jackson took advantage of Marc Guehi's error just outside the box before slamming the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma, giving his side the lead, in what has become an all too familiar story at Villa Park.
Thereafter, Enzo Maresca's men pushed hard in the search for an equaliser, but Zion Suzuki and the Villa defence seemed to have the answers for everything the Blues could throw at them.
It took until the 52nd minute for Manchester City to get a foot-hold in the game as Iliman Ndiaye's well placed cross found the head of Erling Haaland to restore parity between the two sides. The goal marks the Norwegian's ninth Premier League goal of the season in just eight matches.
Eight minutes later and Aston Villa held the advantage once again, once again through Nicolas Jackson. For City the goal came with an overwhelming sense of frustration, with Gianluigi Donnarumma left to rue an error that allowed the hosts to regain the lead.
With the match finishing at 2-1, Manchester City remain top of the table on goal difference.
Up next is a return to cup action, as the Blues face Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The fixture marks the start of a double-header between the two sides, with both matches being hosted at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City progressed through their opening match of the competition with a 5-0 demolition of Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium. For the Seagulls, a 2-3 win against Manchester United saw them through to the fourth round.
Fabian Hürzeler's side fell to their first defeat since the end of August on Sunday, as they lost 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield. They currently sit third in the Premier League, five points adrift of City and Arsenal.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday night's Carabao Cup clash!
Match Details
Manchester City will host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 28 October, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30 UK.
Match Officials
Andrew Madley will referee the Carabao Cup fourth round match. This will be the 19th time that Madley has been the referee for a Manchester City fixture, of those the Blues have lost just three.
The last City match he oversaw was the 1-4 win against Crystal Palace in the second match of this season's Premier League campaign.
The full list of officials can be found here!
Team News
In welcome news, Matheus Nunes has been given the all-clear to return to action ahead of the upcoming Brighton double-header. The right-back's absence was noticeable in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, his return will come as a very welcome boost for the side.
With question's raised over his early withdrawal on Saturday, Iliman Ndiaye will be available on Wednesday. His substitution against Aston Villa was reportedly due to cramp and fatigue.
For Enzo Maresca, only one player remains ruled out for selection following the weekend. Antoine Semenyo was ruled out for eight weeks after he picked up a knee injury in the win against Ipswich on the 17th of October.
Fabian Hürzeler will be without Stefanos Tzimas (ACL tear), Yankuba Minteh (ankle surgery), Kaoru Mitoma (hamstring), Evan Ferguson (ankle), Zadok Yohanna (knock), and Femi Azeez (hamstring).
With an extensive injury list already facing the Seagulls, Pascal Struijk and Mats Wieffer will also need assessing ahead of the match as they both gear up to return from spells on the sidelines.
Enzo Maresca's Press Conference Quotes
Enzo Maresca will preview the Carabao Cup fourth round in a press conference at the City Football Academy on Tuesday, the timing for which is yet to be confirmed.
Refresh for updates.
Head to Head
Wednesday's fixture will mark the 36th time that the two tames have faced off against each other. Since their first meeting in 1924, Manchester City have won 21 to Brighton & Hove Albion's eight.
Manchester City have failed to win in each of the four last occasions, you would have to go back to April 2024 for their last win against the south-coast side. On a more positive note, City are entirely undefeated at home against Brighton in the two side's 102 year history.
In cup competitions the balance currently stands at two wins a piece, this will be the second time that the two have met in the League Cup.
Last time out points were shared between the two sides, with a 1-1 draw at the Etihad back in January. On that day, Kaoru Mitoma cancelled out Erling Haaland's opener to steal two points away from Pep Guardiola's side.
Statistics
Manchester City have never lost at home to the Seagulls across 17 meetings between the two.
Brighton currently top the Premier League goalscoring charts with 23 goals, Manchester City sit second just three goals behind them.
Erling Haaland has scored seven goals in as many games against Brighton, despite that he has just two wins against the Seagulls.
Brighton's biggest win against the Blues came in a cup match, a 4-0 FA Cup win back in 1983.
Manchester City are the second most successful side in League Cup history with nine wins, a win this season would take them level with Liverpool's ten.
Both sides have created 30 big chances in the league this season, with just two shots on target separating them (44 to 42 in favour of Brighton).
How to Watch
Viewers in the UK will be able to watch on Sky Sports, radio coverage will be available on Talksport 2.
In the USA, coverage will be available on Paramount+.