Manchester City will look to take full advantage of any potential slip-ups by either team in Liverpool’s clash against third-placed Chelsea when they face Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. The defending champions are currently second in the league table but a win could fire them to the top, should Liverpool drop points against the Blues.
Brighton, on the other hand, have had a pretty disappointing start to the campaign, securing only one win in six matches so far. And thus, avoiding any kind of humiliation will be the first priority for Chris Hughton’s men, who will be more than happy even if they manage to churn out a point against the mighty Sky Blues.
Team news
Manchester City will miss out on the services of star playmaker Kevin de Bruyne and key fullback Benjamin Mendy. In addition, second choice keeper Claudio Bravo and Eliaquim Mangala are also long-term absentees.
Mendy’s absence could be a huge blow for Manchester City, especially considering the Frenchman’s fiery form at the start of this campaign.
Defence
Ederson Moraes will remain in goal for Manchester City this weekend as he aims for his third clean sheet of the season.
As for the backline, Pep Guardiola is expected to make a lot of changes to the side that won against Oxford in the midweek EFL Cup tie. In fact, both Nicolas Otamendi and Vincent Kompany are likely to be replaced by the duo of John Stones and Aymeric Laporte.
In wider defensive positions, Kyle Walker will come into the side in place of Danilo while Fabian Delph will replace Oleksandr Zinchenko on the opposite flank.
Thus, a complete shuffle in the backline is in order as the visitors look to claim the first spot in the league table this weekend.
Midfield
With John Stones moving deeper, it would allow Fernandinho to return to the starting eleven. The Brazilian international will be deployed as the lone defensive midfielder, right at the base of Man City’s 4-3-3.
He will be partnered by the duo of David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan. The latter was excellent in the win against Cardiff last weekend, scoring a scintillating goal in a convincing 3-0 win.
Attack
Sergio Aguero might have to be content with a place on the bench this weekend with Gabriel Jesus expected to be given the nod ahead of the Argentine superstar. City have a must-win match in the UCL and Aguero might be rested for that. Jesus will be helped by the wide-duo of Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane, both of whom will want to prove a point as they look to establish themselves as first-team regulars under Guardiola.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
