So it all comes down to the final day of the Premier League season. An epic two-horse race over 10 months which has come down to the wire might well be decided by the thinnest of margins as we head into the final few hours.
Manchester City have won 2 of their 3 league titles on the final day while the one in the 2011-12 season was won in the final minute. And with the crux of the team remaining more or less the same, the Blues will be well aware of the pressure which will attempt to engulf them once the match begins.
They will face a Brighton side who are in a buoyant mood having celebrated their safety with a dominating draw against Arsenal and will hope for an upset of gigantic proportions when they host the Sky Blues in a couple of hours.
MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS
Fernandinho is not ready for this crucial game while Kevin de Bruyne is close to match-fitness but might have to do with a place on the bench.
Benjamin Mendy’s knee has ensured a horrendous couple of seasons for the marauding left-back while Claudio Bravo remains a long-term absentee.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP VS BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Ederson will start this crucial fixture in goal and will look to keep a clean sheet which will be his 20th of the season.
Kyle Walker will start at right-back with the impressive Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left.
Vincent Kompany and Aymeric Laporte have started the last 3 and are likely to continue in their respective roles.
MIDFIELD
Ilkay Gundogan will start as the deepest of the 3 midfielders while Bernardo Silva is expected to move back into midfield with young Phil Foden unlikely to be thrust into the spotlight today.
Kevin de Bruyne is an option but might come on later in the game. David Silva, whose influence has waned in recent months, will look to finish the season on a high with an assertive display in the final third.
ATTACK
With City likely to encounter a 10-man behind the ball policy, Leroy Sane’s pace and dribbling could come in handy. He is likely to start on the left while Raheem Sterling should play on the right from where he has had more of his success.
Sergio Aguero will lead the attack once again and a goal from the Argentine will be cherry on the cake if City go on to win the league.
