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Brighton v Manchester City
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Competition: Premier League
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Watch Live: Sky Sports Main Event
With games in hand after both teams reached the FA Cup semi final, Brighton face off against Manchester City just a few days before the final match of the season. Manchester City have already wrapped up the title this year but Pep will want to extend his team’s unbeaten run so that they go into their first cup final full of confidence. It is a chance for Pep to try some things, but Manchester City will stick to their principles and play attractive football.
Brighton have been one of the feel-good stories of the season and have guaranteed European football next season. Brighton will want a point in this game as it will guarantee them Uropa League, so don’t expect them to have eased off for this game. Pep Guardiola has been nothing but appreciative about Brighton’s style of play and this should be a very watchable match between two great footballing teams.
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Seagulls within touching distance of Europa League football
After their 3-1 win in midweek, Brighton have secured their spot in at least the Europa Conference League next season and a point in here will guarantee them a spot in Europa League. A win would also still give Brighton an outside chance at finishing 5th going into the last match of the season, either way, they are guaranteed their highest-ever finish as a club. Brighton are in decent form, they have won 3 of their last 5 matches, however, a 5-1 loss to Everton and a 4-1 loss to Newcastle hang over them as some of their more disappointing results.
Brighton’s inconsistency has been an issue recently, but even in defeat they often play some really good football. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described them as playing the best football in the league earlier this season and Brighton’s high possession passing style has caught the eye of many. Irish youngster Evan Ferguson has been a breakout star for Brighton this season and the 18-year-old’s 2 goals against Southampton took his tally for the season to 6, despite his limited minutes. If chosen to start again here he could be the difference maker against Manchester City.
Brighton team news
Brighton have several players missing due to injury, Lamptey and Sanchez are both out with long-term injuries while Solly March and Adam Lallana may be available for the weekend, but this game will come too early for them.
We want to play seriously and win the game.
Roberto De Zerbi on Brighton aiming for Europa League football
There is some good news on the injury front for Brighton, Adam Webster may be fit enough to make the squad but it seems unlikely that he will be risked today considering there is not much to play for in Brighton’s remaining matches. For Brighton bet builders we can expect them to play their strongest lineup to try and confirm the final point they need for Europa League football.
City’s celebrations interrupted by seaside stop
Manchester City are chasing the treble but have 2 league matches left to enjoy before their cup finals. Manchester City are on a fantastic run of form, 24 matches unbeaten in all competitions but Pep will know Brighton’s quality is a risk to that run here. While Manchester City are playing well, in their match against Chelsea, having already won the league, they were far from their best and really performed at a level of the bare minimum to secure the win.
Therefore there are a lot of unknowns before this match, making Brighton vs Manchester City predictions a lot harder. Will City turn up again after many of their top players were rested and be back at their very best or will they be the same relaxed, more open team that faced Chelsea? Pep won’t like his teams to relax too much as he will want this unbeaten run to go till the end of the season, therefore we can expect some of the big names to come back into the starting lineup here, and while they may still be a bit open if they are to go behind they will quickly get back into their old selves and play to their full ability again.
Manchester City team news
Manchester City have massively benefitted from a lack of injuries recently and with only Nathan Ake currently out, they have plenty of options here. Pep made a lot of changes to the lineup with a much-rotated squad and also seemed to change the system a little with Alvarez starting up front.
A lot. Congratulations for this incredible achievement to be in the Europa League. Roberto is one of the most influential managers in the last twenty years. There is no team playing in the way they play, it’s unique.
Pep Guardiola on how Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has impressed
We can expect the likes of Haaland, Rodri, and Dias to start in this match however do not be surprised to see them subbed off early as Pep wraps his best players in cotton wool in the lead-up to their finals.
Brighton v Manchester City Cheat Sheet
It may be difficult to navigate Man City certainties in terms of lineup, given how they have already secured the league, but there are some interesting possible selections amongst this Brighton side. Liverpool-bound Alexis Mac Allister is on both set pieces for Brighton in this clash and currently averages just under one shot on target per game (0.88). The Argentinian could be a shrewd selection for a shot on target, given how Brighton matched City for possession in the reverse fixture.
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Brighton v Manchester City bet builder tips
Brighton v Manchester City
Kick Off: 20:00
Competition: Premier League
Watch Live: Sky Sports Main Event
Selection: 1 of 3
Prediction: Brighton to have 4+ shots on target
Odds: 1.44
Manchester City have the opportunity to relax for their last 2 league matches, something which they took to the limit against Chelsea where they were arguably lucky to win 1-0. Manchester City have allowed an average of just 2.17 shots on target per 90 yet allowed Chelsea to have 6 shots on target, albeit which a much changed side. Brighton average 5.78 shots on target per 90, the most of any team in the league and have had at least 4 shots on target in 13 of their last 14 league matches. This includes matches against Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs where they had at least 4 on target. With Manchester City not having to maintain their perfect standards anymore there is opportunity for Brighton to make the most of this with plenty of shots on target.
Selection: 2 of 3
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
Odds: 1.50
Brighton have been involved in plenty of high-scoring games recently, whether they are winning or losing. 8 of their last 10 matches have had over 2.5 goals, only not landing in their 2 matches against Manchester United. While Potter was in charge of Brighton last time the teams met, that game ended 3-1, with over 2.5 goals therefore landing.
Manchester City have also been involved in plenty of high-scoring games, over 2.5 goals has landed in 13 of their last 16 matches. Only in tight matches at the Bernabeu and Allianz Arena and in their last match against a struggling Chelsea have there been under 2.5 goals. Unlike Chelsea, Brighton are scoring plenty of goals right now and should get at least one here in a game that has a lot of potential for fouls.
Selection: 3 of 3
Prediction: Pascal Groß to commit 1+ foul
Odds: 1.40
Pascal Groß has been De Zerbi’s preferred choice at right-back recently although he was moved into midfield in Brighton’s last game as a more attacking option against a weak Southampton team. Groß averages 0.97 fouls per 90 and has committed at least 1 foul in 10 of his last 11 matches.
If Groß does start at right back here he will likely be up against Grealish, who is expected to return to the side after being rested in midweek. Grealish draws 3.42 fouls per 90 and has been fouled at least once in 11 of his last 12 matches and at least twice in 10 of his last 12. This will be a tough match-up for Groß who has been converted to a right back so we can expect him to commit a foul here.
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