Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City will look to kick their season into gear after an underwhelming start from both sides in the Premier League.
Brighton & Hove Albion were the first victims at Everton’s brand new stadium, with Fabian Hurzeler’s men succumbing to a 2-0 loss there. Jack Grealish was the catalyst for the Toffees with a performance fitting his stature, as the Seagulls continued their search for the first win of their league season. Up next for Brighton are Grealish’s parent club, Manchester City.
On the opening day, they hosted Fulham, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. They are now preparing for a stern test against Manchester City. Brighton have some momentum following a 6-0 thrashing of Oxford United in the Carabao Cup second round, and Hurzeler will hope to capitalise on that win and get a result against the Manchester giants.
Meanwhile, Manchester City opened their account in the Premier League in a convincing manner against Wolves with a 4-0 win to show for their efforts. However, in the first home game of the season, Pep Guardiola stumbled against ‘bogey-team’ Tottenham at the Etihad, as Thomas Frank’s men put in a commanding performance to take all three points.
There are some tough games after the international break for Manchester City, including the Manchester Derby at home, then a tricky UEFA Champions League tie with Napoli at the Etihad and a huge trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal. Dropping points in either of those league fixtures will be a blow for Guardiola’s side and cause an early derailment to their title challenge.
However, Guardiola will want to take some level of momentum into the international break and will demand a win away at Brighton on Sunday. Despite the setback against Spurs, Manchester City may feel they can get back into the groove against Brighton & Hove Albion as one of Liverpool or Arsenal will drop points on Sunday, which allows Guardiola’s side to get back into the mix at the very top.
Team News & Tactics
Brighton & Hove Albion
There are some injury concerns for Hurzeler to comprehend with ahead of this clash on Sunday, with the likes of Tariq Lamptey, Solly March and Adam Webster all missing out. Julio Enciso, who saw a move to Strasbourg collapse due to a medical issue, also remains sidelined. There are some doubts over Georginio Rutter, but the German is expected to shake off a knock and make the matchday squad.
There are doubts whether he will make the starting eleven for this one, meaning Matt O’Riley is expected to take the role in the attacking midfield slot. Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk are the central defenders for Brighton, with Mats Wieffer and Maxim De Cupyer reprising the full-back roles.
Carlos Baleba is expected to start alongside Yasin Ayari in central midfield, while Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma will start on the wings. Brighton & Hove Albion still have a few attacking problems, and Danny Welbeck will lead the line against Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, O’Riley, Mitoma; Welbeck
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola will run through an assessment for a few of his key stars ahead of this trip to Brighton, as there are some significant doubts. Rayan Ait-Nouri suffered a knee problem last weekend, although he has been named in the Algerian national team squad, and there is a chance he misses out on this one despite Guardiola’s insistence he is fit.
Savinho is yet to feature for Manchester City, and he remains in doubt. Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foren will be checked for their fitness levels, but they are expected to miss the main lineup for this clash.
Guardiola has to make a choice between Nico O’Reilly and Nathan Ake for the left-back slot, with the latter likely to take the spot. Rodri might make a start for the first time this season with Tijjani Reijnders as his midfield partner.
Rayan Cherki will want to prove his doubters wrong, as he too is expected to start, with Oscar Bobb and Omar Marmoush on either wing. Erling Haaland has a good enough record against Brighton, and he will hope to improve that while leading the line for Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Reijnders; Bobb, Cherki, Marmoush; Haaland
Key Stats
Brighton & Hove Albion have taken four points from their last two Premier League games against Manchester City.
Fabian Hurzeler could become the second manager to go undefeated against Pep Guardiola after three games.
Manchester City are unbeaten on their travels in the Premier League since March, losing just twice in 2025.
Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in their last five away games in the Premier League.
Phil Foden has scored six goals in six away Premier League appearances against Brighton & Hove Albion, with only Mohamed Salah scoring as often at the Amex as a visiting player (also six). Overall, his eight goals against the Seagulls are his most against an opponent in the competition.
Player to Watch
Rodri
Embed from Getty Images
The midfielder is likely to make his first start in ages as he gears up to make his presence count for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has sorely missed the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, and it will be a boost for the team to have him fit and firing.
Rodri will want to assert his importance in the team right off the bat, especially with the level of games for Manchester City ahead. All eyes will be on the Spanish midfielder’s performances and how he responds in what could be his first start in a while.
Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Manchester City
Brighton & Hove Albion have a favourable record against Manchester City, especially their manager Fabian Hurzeler, and they did record a win in this very fixture last season. However, things are different this time, and the Seagulls will come into this one with some momentum after their midweek win.
However, Manchester City come to the Amex under some pressure of their own, having lost out to Tottenham last weekend. While there could be a winner in this game, the current trajectory points towards an eventful draw at the Amex.