Manchester City, the defending Premier League champions, have made a solid start to their title defence this season. However, if they were falling into complacent mode, the home loss to Lyon in the Champions League has served as a big warning.
Even a club the size of Manchester City, with the talent at their disposal cannot afford to relax and that applies to the game this weekend at home against Brighton. The visitors may not be the biggest team in the Premier League but will arrive at the Etihad Stadium with a determination not to lose.
Manchester City are unbeaten in the Premier League this season. Their only dropped points have come away at Wolverhampton Wanderers but the way Wolves have started the season, it could turn out to be a decent point come the end of the campaign.
Pep Guardiola’s team have played three Premier League games at home this season and won maximum points. Manchester City have defeated Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United and Fulham, scoring 11 goals and conceding only one.
Trends show Manchester City are undefeated in their last twelve Premier League matches and have won thirty-six of their last forty-two, which is a great record. Manchester City have scored two or more goals in nineteen of their last twenty-one home Premier League games.
Brighton lost the first game of the Premier League season 2-0 at Watford but responded superbly to defeat Manchester United 3-2 at home in a thrilling victory. However, the Seagulls have since failed to win any of their five games in all competitions.
Brighton have lost at Liverpool at and home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League plus been held to draws at home to Fulham and at Southampton. Chris Hughton’s team were also dumped out of the League Cup thanks to a 1-0 home defeat by Southampton.
Away form is very poor and trends show Brighton have won only three of their last twenty-five away matches in all competitions. You must go back to the 4th November 2017 to find the last time Brighton won away from home in the Premier League and that win came at relegated Swansea City.
Scoring goals has been a problem for Brighton away from home and trends show they have failed to score in twelve of their last eighteen away games in all competitions.
Team news and Manchester City continue without the injured quartet of Eliaquim Mangala, Kevin De Bruyne, Claudio Bravo and Benjamin Mendy. With the Champions League approaching in mid-week, Guardiola may make some changes to his starting XI, with Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez starting.
Brighton will be without Dale Stephens who has a hamstring injury and the Seagulls also have doubts over Pacal Gross and Jose Izquierdo. Expect Brighton to line up in a defensive formation, with one up-front.
This should be a comfortable win for Manchester City. Brighton do not travel well and while they may frustrate the hosts by getting people behind the ball, Manchester City should score at least two goals and keep a clean sheet in winning the match.