Brighton vs Man City Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Josh Sim
A red-hot Manchester City travel to Brighton on Saturday evening, hoping to pick up their fourth win in five games.
The Citizens rebounded from their disappointing loss to Southampton with a resounding 5-0 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday evening, and will fancy their chances of racking up another three points on their travels south.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls are coming off a 3-1 loss to Premier League champions Liverpool and will be keen to come back with a strong performance at the Amex Stadium. Currently eight points clear of the relegation zone, they are close to being mathematically safe - and a win over Pep Guardiola's side will go a long way to achieving another top-flight season.
Where to Watch on TV
When is Kick Off? Saturday 11 July
What Time is Kick Off? 20:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Amex Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (US)
Referee? Graham Scott
Team News
For the Sky Blues, striker Sergio Agüero remains the only absentee with a knee injury. The likes of Ilkay Gündoğan, Aymeric Laporte and Raheem Sterling all started from the bench on Wednesday, and could return to the starting lineup as Guardiola continues to rotate his squad.
As for the hosts, winger José Izquierdo remains out due to a knee issue, while Steven Alzate has also been struggling with a groin problem and will likely miss the game. Graham Potter will have plenty of options to choose from, with Aaron Mooy and Yves Bissouma likely to be considered to start on Saturday.
? "We haven't had any injuries reported from last night, I think we'll be okay.
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 9, 2020
"It's a busy period so we have to prepare as well as we can."#BHAFC ?⚪️ pic.twitter.com/AJkcbz7Sj5
Predicted Lineups
Brighton: Ryan; Lamptey, Webster, Dunk, Burn; Bissouma, Stephens; Mooy, Groß, Trossard; Maupay.
Man City: Ederson; Walker, Fernandinho, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gündoğan; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.
Recent Form
Aside from their loss to Southampton, City have been on a roll, scoring 11 goals in their last three wins. Their attacking players have continued to contribute in front of goal, and having kept clean sheets in their previous victories, Guardiola will be pleased with what he's seen from his side.
10+ - Manchester City are the first English top-flight side to have five different players score at least 10 league goals in a single season since Everton in 1984-85. Apportion. pic.twitter.com/Y6XzpL2bTS
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 8, 2020
As for Brighton, they have had a tough run of fixtures, and their form has been up and down as a result. A win over Norwich was followed by the defeat to Liverpool, and they'll face an equally difficult opponent on Saturday.
Here's how both sides have fared in their last five matches.
Brighton
Brighton 1-3 Liverpool (8/7)
Norwich 0-1 Brighton (4/7)
Brighton 0-3 Man Utd (30/6)
Leicester 0-0 Brighton (23/6)
Brighton 2-1 Arsenal (20/6)
Man City
Man City 5-0 Newcastle (8/7)
Southampton 1-0 Man City (5/7)
Man City 4-0 Liverpool (2/7)
Newcastle 0-2 Man City (28/6)
Chelsea 2-1 Man City (25/6)
Prediction
Brighton certainly have come out of the break looking a much more cohesive unit than they were earlier in the season, and will be a difficult test for the Citizens.
? JUST. LIKE. THAT. ?
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 9, 2020
? #ManCity pic.twitter.com/LZrXORw8J7
But it's hard not to envision a win for the visitors, given their red-hot form going forward, as well as the defensive lapses the Seagulls have shown in their defeats to both Liverpool and Man Utd. Expect multiple goals for City once again, as they continue to show their vast quality ahead of next season.
Prediction: Brighton 1-3 Man City