Manchester City will play their final game before the March international break on Saturday when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens, who lost against Nottingham Forest last time out, will be desperate to get three points as they look to climb back into the Premier League’s top four.
However, Manchester City will be up against a Brighton side just one point and two places below them in the table, and they’ve won their last four league games in a row.
Paul Merson has now predicted how City will fare against Brighton in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off at M11.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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Paul Merson backs Manchester City to win 2-1 against Brighton
Merson believes City’s fixture against Brighton is now hard to call, compared to previous years in which the Citizens would’ve been heavy favourites to win.
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However, the pundit believes City should have enough to record a 2-1 win over the Seagulls, with the Etihad Stadium still being a tough place to visit.
“Over the years, you would’ve looked at this fixture and thought, ‘City win’,” Merson told Sportskeeda. “But now we all know this one is hard to call!
“When you go to a place like Etihad as an away team, you need to turn up. If Brighton can do that and play well, there’s no way they aren’t coming off the pitch without getting a result.
“Can Brighton do it? Well, even if Manchester City aren’t playing great, the Etihad is still a hard place to go and get the win. I’m going to back City here.
“However, I must admit that it’s purely because of their reputation and not based on how they are playing now.
“If Brighton win, they go above City in the Premier League table. Now that makes it a must-win game for the hosts and I expect them to get the three points.”
Manchester City team news v Brighton
City are set to be without Nathan Ake for up to 11 weeks after the Dutchman underwent surgery on a foot fracture.
Ake has joined the likes of John Stones and Manuel Akankji on the sidelines, while Oscar Bobb and Rodri remain long-term absentees.
Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic and Omar Marmoush all began the Forest game on the bench and could be involved from the off against Brighton.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls are set to still be without Ferdi Kadioglu, Igor Julio, James Milner and Jason Steele, who all remain sidelined.
However, the likes of Lewis Dunk, Joel Veltman and Matt O’Riley are closing in on a return and face late fitness tests.
Tariq Lamptey is available after he served a one-match suspension last weekend.
Simon Hooper will referee City’s game against Brighton this weekend.