Brighton & Hove Albion are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they head to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.
The Seagulls went into the international break off the back of an exciting 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Amex Stadium. Since the 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Aston Villa last month, they have recovered well. Roberto de Zerbi’s men will now be aiming to build on the result against Liverpool ahead of another busy period.
They will be in a buoyant mood heading to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola’s side, who lost 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium before the hiatus.
Brighton Team News
Pervis Estupinan will be out for a month with a muscle injury, as revealed by De Zerbi last time out. Estupinan has joined Jakub Moder (knee) and Julio Enciso (knee) on the sidelines. Igor Julio was forced off with injury against Liverpool and remains doubtful to face Man City along with Tariq Lamptey, who pulled out of the Ghana squad for the October internationals because of a reported knock.
Meanwhile, James Milner has missed the last few games with a knock but is expected to recover in time to face his former employers.
Goalkeeper
Bart Verbruggen and Jason Steele have taken turns to guard the posts this season.
Verbruggen started against Liverpool before the international break and could keep his place in goal on Saturday.
Defence
In Pervis Estupinan and Tariq Lamptey’s injury absences, Solly March deputised at left-back against Liverpool and did a fine job. He remains certain to start in that position again in the Brighton lineup, while Joel Veltman will hope to continue operating from the right.
If Igor Julio fails to recover from his injury, Jan Paul van Hecke could be the ideal player to replace him and partner Lewis Dunk in central defence in the Brighton lineup. Van Hecke and Dunk, along with the full-backs, have to be in top-form to stop a formidable Man City attack from scoring.
Midfield
Carlos Baleba impressed in the middle of the park against Liverpool and ideally should have done enough to keep his place in the team. However, De Zerbi could opt for a more experienced player than Baleba in midfield against Man City, which might see Mahmoud Dahoud get the nod to partner Pascal Gros in the double pivot in the Brighton lineup.
Joao Pedro should act as the creative link between the midfield and attack, and he will be looking to take dangerous positions in the final third to hurt Guardiola’s side.
Attack
Kaoru Mitoma pulled out of the Japan squad for the October internationals because of concerns over his physical condition but should be fine to face Man City. He is expected to start on the left flank in the Brighton lineup, while Simon Adingra will look to cause problems for the Man City defence after putting on a glittering show against Liverpool before the international break.
Evan Ferguson might get the nod ahead of Danny Welbeck again to lead the Brighton attack. The youngster will be desperate to get on the scoresheet against City and continue his fine start to the season.
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