90min

Manchester City predicted lineup vs Brighton - Premier League

By Grey Whitebloom

Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have conceded just one goal at home to Brighton
Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have conceded just one goal at home to Brighton / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages
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Manchester City welcome Brighton to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola has been a long-term admirer of Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi, offering him a friendly word of advice when the Italian arrived in the Premier League.

"He's very happy that I'm on board here," De Zerbi revealed after joining the Seagulls. "And he told me that if I need he will be very happy to help me - but of course, not in the match we are playing against them!"

Here's the lineup Guardiola may deploy in a bid to get one over his Italian counterpart.

1. Manchester City XI (4-3-3)

GK: Ederson - The Brazilian's Premier League debut - and maiden clean sheet in the competition - came against Brighton back in 2017.

RB: Manuel Akanji - After his debut for the club, Guardiola raved: "He showed what a good central defender Manchester City just bought."

CB: Ruben Dias - In an answer that his manager may not agree with, Dias described his football philosophy as "winning at all costs".

CB: Nathan Ake - During his debut campaign for City, Ake admitted he was "trying to do too much, show myself too much." He has struck a good balance in the years since.

LB: Joao Cancelo - By allowing Liverpool's Mohamed Salah to streak past him and score the game's only goal last Sunday, Cancelo made his first error which led to a shot in 51 Premier League matches.

CM: Kevin De Bruyne - The Belgian has won all eight of his career meetings with Brighton.

CM: Rodri - "What do you think you are, the best?" was the scathing remark Guardiola delivered to Rodri during a City victory in a bid to snuff out any complacency.

CM: Ilkay Gundogan - Guardiola's first signing at City captained his side to victory home and away against Brighton last season.

RW: Phil Foden - Only a certain Norwegian number nine has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than Foden this season (ten).

ST: Erling Haaland - FC Copenhagen's beleaguered keeper Kamil Grabara was hardly alone in his mid-match assessment that Haaland "is not human."

LW: Jack Grealish - The former Aston Villa forward has scored more goals against Brighton (four) than any other club in his senior career.

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