
Manchester City will be hoping to get their top four finish back on track when they face fellow European hopefuls Brighton on Saturday afternoon. Can Pep Guardiola's side bounce back after losing to Nottingham Forest last weekend? Or will the Seagulls leapfrog them in the Premier League table?
Man City's lack of consistency is costing them from sealing a Champions League spot at present. A 1-0 defeat against Forest last weekend wasn't part of the script, and once again Pep Guardiola's side will have to dig deep if they are to return to winning ways.
However, it isn't all doom and gloom. After losing against Liverpool int he league, Man City picked up three points on the road against Spurs, and after 28 rounds, they are only two points behind Chelsea in 4th. Earlier on in the campaign, it looked almost impossible for Man City to attain a Champions League spot.
It's currently within reach - but they can't afford any more slip ups if they are to finish in the top four.
After Brighton lost 7-0 against Nottingham Forest, the Seagulls have rallied incredibly well. Five consecutive wins have followed across all competitions, including beating Newcastle in the FA Cup during extra-time, progressing to the quarter-finals where they'll face high-flying Forest.
But for now, the aim is to carry on winning football matches and see where it takes them. The Champions League is still on the cards, and a statement win at the Etihad would certainly boost their chances.
Back in November, Brighton found themselves a goal down at half-time against Man City thanks to yet another Erling Haaland goal. However, it wasn't to be for the champions, who conceded two late goals, falling to a 2-1 defeat.
This was Brighton's first win against Man City in four years, having last beaten Guardiola's side 3-2 back in 2021. A red card for Joao Cancelo inside 10 minutes proved costly.
But since this fixture has largely belonged to the reigning champions. Before Brighton's win earlier this season, Man City had won four of their previous five meetings, drawing the other at the Amex 1-1 back in 2023.
At the Etihad, it has been six eight straight wins since their first meeting in 2018. Will that trend continue this weekend?
With Man City and Brighton both fighting for European football, the neutral should be in for a treat on Saturday afternoon. Can the hosts continue their dominance in this fixture, or will Brighton record their first ever double over Guardiola's side?
Having only picked up six points from a possible 15, Man City don't arrive in any kind of form. Brighton, on the other hand, have won four of their last five Premier League matches, which is why they are still firmly in the hunt for a European spot next season.
Man City's third loss in the space of three weeks last weekend saw them drop to 5th, and when Erling Haaland fails to score, Man City often struggle to pick up the points. Brighton's job will be to keep him quiet - although easier said than done with the Norwegian sitting on 20 goals already.
Brighton's away form is the 8th best in the Premier League - only two points behind Newcastle who have the 3rd best - and having beaten City earlier in the campaign, there's no reason why they won't be confident heading North this weekend.
But I can't shake their poor record at the Etihad. Eight defeats in a row, as well as their recent 7-0 hammering against Forest, Brighton have proven vulnerable against the better teams in the league.
Man City are strong at home, who have always scored 28 goals in just 13 matches - and Brighton might not be able to live with them on their own patch.
But the hosts do struggle for clean sheets, collecting just one in their last five. Joao Pedro has been re-called to the Brazilian national team, and he could be the one to punish their leaky defence.
With that in mind, you can back Erling Haaland to score and over 2.5 match goals at 11/8 with bet365's bet builder. Good luck if you're following.
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