Manchester City Vs Brighton Preview: Title Chasers Take On Mid-Table Seagulls

Tuesday, 19 April 2022 17:17

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Can Brighton and Hove Albion hook one of the Premier League's big fish this evening?

That is the task facing the Seagulls when they kick-off at 8pm against Pep Guardiola's title-chasing Manchester City at the Etihad.

Albion reached the magical 40-point mark with an Easter weekend victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday — their north London double-header yielding six points after Arsenal were similarly vanquished the previous week.

City are a different kettle of fish though, and will be keen to reassert themselves at the head of the table, having seen Liverpool humiliate the red side of Manchester 4-0 last night for a two-point advantage in the two-horse race for the title — The Citizens with this game in hand to return to the summit.

The Citizens' home form has, unsurprisingly, been outstanding, although they only managed a point in their most recent game on home soil, a pulsating 2-2 draw with their Scouse adversaries.

Top of Premier League home table (Soccer Stats)

The good news for Albion fans is their team has one of the best away records in the division, and the compact, counter-attacking nature instilled by Graham Potter could provide an apt remedy for the hosts' rampant front-foot nature.

Top of Premier League away table (Soccer Stats)

Form guide

City's form has, by their high standards, dropped off a smidge in recent weeks, but remains among the best in the division.

Brighton, meanwhile, arrested an appalling slide which had seen them claim a single point in seven matches, threatening to plunge them into an erstwhile unlikely relegation scrap.

Premier League form table (Soccer Stats)

Man City Premier League form:
L W W D W D

Brighton and Hove Albion Premier League form:
L L L D W W

The teams have met 27 times in the past, with Man City enjoying 17 wins, Brighton six, and four encounters ending all square.

Injury news

City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is expected to start, but full-back Kyle Walker (above) remains doubtful with a twisted ankle.

A similar ankle problem also rules out youngster Cole Palmer.

For Brighton, Tariq Lamptey was taken off with a knock against Spurs but should be available tonight, although Jakub Moder and Shane Duffy will not be considered.

Steven Alzate is suffering from a bout of illness and will probably be held back until Sunday's south-coast encounter with Southampton.

Possible line-ups

Manchester City (4-3-3):

Brighton and Hove Albion (4-5-1):

Prediction: Man City 2 - 0 Brighton

A must-win encounter for City after Liverpool's excellent performance last night.

Brighton have found an unexpected spark in the past couple of matches and have an exceptional record on the road, so expect them to battle but ultimately come up a little short.