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| Pascal Gross has been a top lad for Brighton this season, Phil Foden has proven to be ready to step into Kevin De Bruyne's shoes, he must stand to be counted here. (Photo credit: Sky Sports) |
Brighton vs. Manchester CityThe Amex8:00pm
Manchester City knows what to do; they must win to keep up with Arsenal in the title race. With the Gunners putting five past Chelsea on Tuesday night, the champions cannot afford to drop points.
Everton did a number on Liverpool in the hunt for the title on Wednesday night. Sean Dyche and his Toffees won the Merseyside derby at home for the first time in fourteen years, leaving the Kops three points off top of the table.
Brighton is not in a good place; the Seagulls have only one win in their last five Premier League games, a run that includes two draws and two losses, both to Liverpool at Anfield and to Arsenal at the Amex. The champions' visit could be difficult to navigate.
Brighton might be on a poor run, but they would look at the league table and nurse real hopes of a return to Europe. Is it possible? They have done it before, and they can do it again. A win over the Cityzens could lift the Seagulls to ninth; they can only look up from there.
Manchester City is capable of going on a monstrous run, beating everyone in front of them to land the title, but this City team looks tired, and it was obvious in their narrow FA Cup win over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.
After crashing out of Europe, you expect Manchester City to blow the Blues out of the water; it didn't happen, and while they were lucky to edge Chelsea, they must get a grip and rediscover their magic; there's a league title to win.
How would Brighton line up? Half of the first team is injured, but Roberto Di Zerbi still has an eleven on the field. They’re a system team; they have a pattern, and whoever comes in knows what to do. It’s typically plug-and-play.
Danny Welbeck is on a good run; he could start alongside Joao Pedro upfront. Carlos Baleba has been a revelation in midfield; he could be enormous under Pascal Gross's tutelage. If they want to stop City, they must win the midfield battle.
It is City’s to lose; Erling Haaland is reportedly unavailable for this fixture, and Julian Alvarez and Oscar Bobb could be the lads to get the job done. Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva will be available to trouble the Seagulls; it should be fun for neutral fans.