Manchester City are aiming to bring their run of three successive defeats to an end.
The reigning Premier League champions followed up their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup fourth round with losses away at Bournemouth in the Premier League and Sporting CP in the Champions League. Their crushing 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Portuguese champions has alarm bells ringing on the blue half of Manchester.
Injuries have limited the effectiveness of the usually relentless Man City winning machine, with Rodri the most notable absentee at the base of midfield. Even those available have underdelivered, however, with Erling Haaland’s profligacy and defensive errors having proven costly in recent matches.
Visiting Brighton is never a straightforward task and Fabian Hurzeler’s side will push Man City to their limits at the AMEX Stadium. Despite failing to win any of their last three outings – including two defeats to Liverpool – the Seagulls have the energy, intensity and attacking firepower to punish any sloppiness in the Cityzens squad.
Man City will be without Rodri for the rest of the season and young Oscar Bobb is still missing with a leg fracture. Elsewhere, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Jack Grealish are all expected to be absent for Saturday’s clash.
Stones has been left out of the England squad for the November international break, although Grealish has been included despite his injury fears. Dias has also been omitted from the Portugal squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League ties.
Pep Guardiola is likely to make changes from the side that were beaten 4-1 by Sporting, especially in defence. Kevin De Bruyne could also feature again after making a cameo from the bench in Lisbon midweek following a long-term layoff.
