Manchester City vs Brighton Preview

• City to win
• Over 2.5 goals

March is usually when Manchester City shift into title-chasing mode, but this season has been far from routine.

Pep Guardiola’s side find themselves outside the top four, on track for their worst-ever league finish under the Spaniard, having never finished lower than third since he arrived in 2016/17.

After a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, City will look to bounce back against Brighton, a team they have dominated at home.

Meanwhile, Brighton arrive in red-hot form, aiming to complete a historic league double over City after their 2-1 win in the reverse fixture.

With four consecutive Premier League wins, the Seagulls are enjoying their best-ever top-flight run, but their away struggles against elite teams could prove costly.

Will City return to winning ways, or can Brighton continue their remarkable streak? Here’s a full match preview.

Manchester City’s Uncharacteristic Struggles

City’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend further dented their top-four hopes, making this one of their most underwhelming league campaigns under Guardiola.

The Cityzens have already lost three home league matches this season, equalling their total from the last three seasons combined.

However, history heavily favours City in this fixture. They have won ten consecutive home league meetings against Brighton and are unbeaten in all 14 (W12, D2)—the most they have faced any opponent at home without ever losing.

Despite their shaky form, a return to the Etihad Stadium against a side they have historically dominated could be the perfect opportunity to rediscover their best form.

However, another defeat would mark the first time since May 2021 that City have lost back-to-back home league games.

Brighton’s Historic Opportunity

Brighton are flying under Fabian Hürzeler, winning their last four Premier League matches—the longest active winning streak in the division and joint-best in their top-flight history.

Across all competitions, the Seagulls are on a six-game winning run, showcasing their remarkable progress under their new manager.

Victory here would make history, as Brighton have never completed a league double over City despite sharing 15 seasons in the same division.

However, their away record against the league’s top sides is concerning—they have failed to win in four such fixtures this season (D1, L3).

If they are to defy the odds and beat City, Brighton must overcome their struggles against top teams on the road and produce a flawless performance.

Head-to-Head Record: City’s Home Dominance

• Reverse fixture result: Brighton 2-1 Manchester City
• City’s home league record vs Brighton: W10 in a row, unbeaten in all 14 meetings (W12, D2)
• Brighton’s away record vs ‘big five’ teams this season: D1, L3
• City’s home league defeats this season: Three (equaling their last three seasons combined)

City’s incredible home dominance against Brighton makes them overwhelming favourites, but their recent inconsistencies offer the Seagulls some hope.

Key Players to Watch

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Haaland is on the verge of history—he has 99 direct goal contributions in the Premier League (goals + assists) and needs just one more in his next six games to become the first player ever to reach 100 in under 100 appearances. The Norwegian will be eager to make his mark and lead City’s attack back to winning ways.

João Pedro (Brighton)

Brighton’s in-form forward, João Pedro, has scored in three consecutive league games. If he finds the net here, he will become the first Brighton player to score in four successive Premier League matches. Given City’s defensive vulnerabilities, he could be a major threat.

Prediction: Can City Avoid Consecutive Home Defeats?

City’s recent struggles make this fixture trickier than usual, but their dominant home record against Brighton should give them confidence.

While Brighton are in fantastic form, their away struggles against elite sides are difficult to ignore.

Expect City to control possession, create numerous chances, and eventually overpower Brighton, but the Seagulls could make it competitive if they take their opportunities.

Predicted Score: Manchester City 3-1 Brighton

City should bounce back with a win, keeping their top-four hopes alive, while Brighton’s historic winning streak may come to an end at the Etihad.

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Man City v Brighton, 2024/25 | Premier League