Just one point and two places separate Manchester City in fifth and Brighton in seventh going into Saturday afternoon’s Premier League clash.
Man City will be hoping to keep the pressure on Chelsea in the final Champions League place. Meanwhile, Brighton could draw level on points with the London outfit should they win at the Etihad. In doing so, they’ll leapfrog Man City too.
MAN CITY VS BRIGHTON PREVIEW
Since being hammered 7-0 by Nottingham Forest on 1 February, Brighton have been a team in form. They have won all four of their Premier League games since. Add this to their two wins in the FA Cup and the Seagulls are looking for their seventh straight win in all competitions.
City, meanwhile, have endured erratic form. They lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest last time out, while they lost 0-2 to Liverpool last month too. They have enjoyed some strong victories though. These include beating Tottenham at White Hart Lane and putting four goals past Newcastle United at the Etihad.
Knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid last month, City will be determined to finish in the top four of the Premier League to qualify for next season’s competition. However, Brighton also have European ambitions and will pose a tough test here.
MAN CITY VS BRIGHTON PREDICTIONS
Man City Win
Man City have won three of their last four Premier League home games and have won 12 of their 14 home fixtures against Brighton in history.
Draw
Both teams are clearly evenly matched, with the home team’s form erratic and the away team in form. A draw would not be a surprise.
Brighton Win
Brighton are on a six-game winning run and will be looking to do the double over Man City following their 2-1 win in the reverse fixture back in November. Their four-game winning streak in the Premier League is longer than any other side.
MAN CITY VS BRIGHTON – BETTING TIPS
Draw
Brighton’s record at Manchester City is poor, but they will be buoyed by their recent good form. With City’s current form erratic, but with dangers in attack, a high-scoring draw could be on the cards.
Over 2.5 Goals
With 99 goals scored between the two sides and 78 conceded, goals are likely. Only two of the last 12 fixtures between the two sides have had under 2.5 goals.
Only three matches involving Manchester City since the turn of the year have had fewer than 2.5 goals, although it’s worth noting that all three of these games were in City’s last four fixtures.
Meanwhile, you have to go all the way back to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest on 25 January to find a Brighton game with two goals or fewer.
Erling Haaland to Score Anytime
With 83 goals and 16 assists in just 93 Premier League appearances, Erling Haaland is looking for one more to reach 100. If he does, he will be the first player to secure 100 goal involvements in fewer than 100 games. He’ll be extra hungry here. Haaland scored City’s only goal in their 2-1 defeat to Brighton earlier in the season.
João Pedro to Score Anytime
João Pedro kept his cool to score a 98th minute penalty to secure a 2-1 victory over Fulham in Brighton’s last Premier League game. This saw him score in his third straight Premier League match so he’s very much a man in form. Pedro also scored the opening goal in Brighton’s 2-1 win over Man City at the Amex in November.
MAN CITY VS BRIGHTON – HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
Man City and Brighton have faced each other 33 teams, with City winning on 21 occasions and the Seagulls on six. There have been six draws.
Brighton have never won away at Manchester City, with the home side winning 12 and drawing two of their 14 fixtures.
Brighton have beaten Man City twice in the Premier League, with both victories coming from behind.
