Brighton host Pep Guardiola’s new-look Manchester City at the Amex on Sunday.
Both sides have had mixed results to start the season, with the away side comfortably dispatching Wolves before struggling to break down Tottenham.
Brighton come into this with a big mid-week confidence boost, having stuck six past Oxford United.
Can Brighton bounce back from Everton?
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Fabian Hürzeler’s first choice starting eleven fizzled to defeat at the Hill Dickinson last Sunday, and one week on will be looking to get Brighton’s first three points of the season.
On the performance so far, Hürzeler said:
“For me it’s very important that I never judge my team by results, I judge them by their effort, by their work ethic, by their performance.
“I always have to believe if you keep on working, if you keep on watching your performance, if you keep on bringing the best work and the best effort on the pitch, then for sure you will get what you deserve in the end, and that’s what we’re pushing for.”
In Brighton’s 6-0 win over Oxford United, a number of players made a case to be involved against City.
Brajan Gruda played the full 90, so is unlikely to start, however made a big impact. Despite not converting an open net, he assisted not long after, and scored not long after that.
Stefanos Tzimas came off the bench and produced two excellent finishes before assisting Tommy Watson, who curled in a scorching strike.
Hürzeler was asked about Tzimas in his press conference yesterday, where he said:
“It was already 3-0 so it’s not the intensity you can expect in a Premier League game.
“For sure he’s closer with the step today but I’m not sure if he might be an option for the weekend, we have to see how he reacts.”
Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola both put in strong performances, but we can’t assume either will be thrust into a game against Manchester City just yet.
As for the expected eleven, Hürzeler was “unsure” if Georginio Rutter would be available to start.
The good news was that there is no new injury news outside of long-term absentees Adam Webster and Solly March, with Julio Enciso back in training.
Brighton vs City is always entertaining due to the nature of it being an open game, so expect an attack-minded lineup from Hürzeler.
The TalkSeagulls Predicted Lineup:
GK: Verbruggen
LB: De Cuyper
LCB: Dunk
RCB: van Hecke
RB: Wieffer
DM: Ayari
CM: Baleba
AM: O’Riley
LW: Mitoma
RW: Minteh
ST: Rutter
What new threat does Pep Guardiola’s new-look City pose?
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola has brought in a raft of changes this summer to supplement the spending made in January.
Tijjani Reijnders was the big marquee signing of the summer, with the versatile midfielder impressing on opening day against Wolves with the efficiency of his performance, and will be one to watch out for on Sunday.
Rayan Aït-Nouri scored against Brighton last season and will add to the fluidity of their attack; however was forced off with injury against Tottenham last week.
Prospective Kevin De Bruyne replacement Rayan Cherki seems to transcend having a strong and weak foot, and is the kind of player we typically struggle to contain.
As for the typical threats, Phil Foden always seems to lock in against Brighton, with eight goals and an assist against us in previous meetings.
Erling Haaland normally gets the better of us with five goals of his own, whilst Omar Marmoush was an undisputed man of the match at the Etihad in our previous meeting.
City will look to play a fluid 4-3-3, with the left back overlapping to form a 3-1-4-2 in possession. They will look to press high, create overloads and get runners in behind.
Fabian Hürzeler on Manchester City so far:
“I think they should also have six points, looking at their performances so far.
“They are still a top team, they have signed some great players, they’ve played a little bit of a different style and a different shape, overall it’s still Man City.”
Prediction:
It’s going to be tough, but with how open the game is and the Live on Sky home factor against a big six team, where we didn’t lose a game last season, there’s no reason why we can do the same again.
Brighton 3-2 Manchester City – Minteh, Mitoma, Ayari. Marmoush and Reijnders.
