Third-placed Manchester City side faces an elegant Brighton & Hove Albion, a spot below them, at the Amex for an exciting encounter. Two tactical minds will also be in the show in the form of Pep Guardiola and Graham Potter
Match Details :
When: Saturday, 23 October
Timings: 17:30 (BST)/ 22:00 (IST)
Where: Amex Stadium, Brighton
BRI vs MCI Match Preview :
Brighton are showing the real colors of Graham Potter's innovative tactics this season with him labeled as the 'best English manager' by his counterpart on Saturday, Pep Guardiola. Looking at the work done by Potter for the Seagulls, one can easily assume that. Brighton, this campaign, sits on the fourth spot with 15 points and four points off the top. They are in the debate for title contenders this season but most importantly receiving praise for all the functions and improvements. Presently, Players on the pitch seem to have finally jelled with the manager's tactics proved by only a single defeat on the road but their issues of converting chances seem to have prevailed from the last campaign. After keeping more possession, creating and getting more shots on target than Arsenal and Norwich in the last two fixtures respectively, Brighton have unexpectedly drawn blank in front of the goal. Two frustrating 0-0 draws urge more clinical finishing and Potter needs to focus on that ahead of meeting a high standard side like City. Also, their 22 yellow cards statistics this campaign raise problem caused by indiscipline.
Manchester City's sky-high level haven't dropped at all following the International break with two back-to-back victories. A 2-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League last weekend was backed by a 5-1 outscoring of Club Brugge in Europe, showing the ruthless scoring form despite not having a genuine number nine in the team. The holders are on the third spot on the domestic league chart trailing leaders Chelsea with just two points. City's rampant scoring spree shouldn't undermine their excellent defensive effort considering their six clean sheets in the league is one more than the Tuchel's side has managed. Pep will be hopeful that both records come in good manners in their latest fixture after the last visit to the Amex didn't go as planned. A win will do for both sides but for the blue shirts from Manchester it will strengthen up their title defense helped by the fact that second-placed Liverpool will battle Manchester United in the famous North-West derby at Old Trafford.
Recent Form (all competitions)
Brighton: DDDWW
Manchester City: WWDLW
BRI vs MCI Team News :
Brighton defender Adam Webster is pending a late fitness test to make himself available at the weekend while Danny Welbeck and Steven Alzate are ruled out. The talented Tariq Lamptey made a relieving return for the Seagulls after a long injury layoff with some minutes offered in the draw against Norwich. He replaced Joel Veltman on the hour mark but it is the Dutch who will hold his place in the starting eleven. Yves Bissouma also returns to the fold in a massive injury boost for Graham Potter's men and he will regain his spot in the midfield.
Manchester City have no fresh injury concerns from their dismantling of Club Brugge in the Champions League with Ferran Torres only confirmed long-term absentee. Pep Guardiola has expressed that his team is in good shape and changes are unlikely to be made to the eleven that started on Thursday night.
John Stones was a doubt against the Belgian side but is available for the Premier League fixture although the Dias-Laporte partnership will remain intact at the back. Ikay Gundogan received his first minutes after his recent injury while Gabriel Jesus will be wishing to feature from the start after the Brazilian missed the Burnley win because of international commitments.
BRI vs MCI Predicted Lineup :
Brighton: Robert Sanchez; Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy, Daniel Burn, Joel Veltman, Pascal Gross, Yves Bissouma, Adam Lallana, Marc Cucurella, Neal Maupay, Leandro Trossard
Manchester City: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish
Head to Head :
City's latest visit to the Amex Stadium didn't go as planned with a thrilling 3-2 scoreline going Albion's way. It was Potter side's first win over the declared champions then in the Premier League. Ikay Gundogan and Phil Foden put City in the comfort zone early in the fixture played in May this year but were rocked by a second half Brighton come-back. Trossard pulled a goal back on the 50th mark before Adam Webster and Burn scored within the space of five minutes late in the game to register historic three points for the Seagulls.
BRI vs MCI Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Ederson (MCI)
DEF: Cancelo (MCI), Dias (MCI), Duffy (BRI), Cucurella (BRI)
MID: Riyad Mahrez (MCI), Rodri (MCI), Bissouma (BRI), De Bruyne (MCI)
FW: Maupay (BRI), Foden (MCI)
Match Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Manchester City
Unbothered by the result in their last visit to the venue, Manchester City are expected to keep on their delightful form and inflict a second defeat on Brighton. Potter's men will be tricky on the day but their non-scoring dilemma will further be deepened by the resolute City defense.
