Brighton v Manchester City predictions: Classy Citizens too good for Seagulls

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Brighton v Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Manchester City-Manchester City double result
2pts 11-10 bet365

Team news

Brighton
Danny Welbeck and Steven Alzate are still absentees, while Adam Webster could be passed fit.

Manchester City
Ferran Torres is the only long-term absentee for the Citizens, although John Stones is doubtful after missing the game against Brugge.

Match preview

Since their opening-day defeat to Tottenham, Manchester City have looked in complete control in the Premier League and they can assert their dominance once more as they travel to Brighton.

Following that defeat to Spurs, the Citizens have taken 17 points from a possible 21 and secured four points from trips to Stamford Bridge and Anfield.

In the opening eight games of the season, Pep Guardiola’s side have played five of the other seven teams to finish in last year’s top eight and have come out of the other side just two points from top spot.

City have continued in a similar vein in the Champions League, recoverin from a narrow defeat to Paris Saint Germain to run riot against Club Brugge on Tuesday.

That 5-1 win was symptomatic of the Mancunians at their best, with their fluid attacking football constantly catching out Brugge and allowing them to create chances at will.

There has been some criticism of Guardiola’s side for not acquiring a striker in the summer, particularly after the injury to Ferran Torres ruled him out until the new year.

But the false nine system they utilise in place of a traditional forward means goalscorers come from all over the pitch, as demonstrated when both of their full-backs got on the scoresheet in Belgium.

Guardiola’s strikerless behemoth roll into the Amex to face a Brighton side they have enjoyed plenty of recent success against. In seven of the last eight meetings between the pair, City have been ahead at half-time and full-time.

The only blip on that record was a 3-2 victory for the Seagulls last season in which City played 80 minutes with ten men.

In the seven other Premier League games between the pair since Brighton’s addition to the league in the 2017-18 season, the Citizens have scored 22 and conceded just twice.

However, Brighton are in decent nick. Graham Potter’s men sit in the top four, just two points behind their opponents. Brighton have tasted defeat only once in their opening eight matches - a 2-0 home loss to Everton - but have had a fairly benign set of fixtures to help them along the way.

Goals continue to be a struggle for the south coast side, as they were last year, a last-minute equaliser against rivals Crystal Palace being followed by back-to-back goalless draws against Arsenal and Norwich respectively.

The Seagulls’ forwards will need to rediscover their shooting boots if they are to have any chance against City, who have kept a clean sheet in six of their eight games.

Guardiola’s men have a strong record at this venue and with their eyes on the retention of their Premier League crown, they can make a customary explosive start on the south coast.

Key stat

Manchester City have been ahead at half-time and full-time in seven of their last eight matches against Brighton

Inside info

Brighton

Penalty taker Neal Maupay
Free-kick wizard Pascal Gross
Set-piece aerial threat Shane Duffy
Card magnet Joel Veltman

Manchester City

Penalty taker Riyad Mahrez
Free-kick wizardKevin De Bruyne
Set-piece aerial threatRuben Dias
Card magnetJoao Cancelo

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