Brighton vs Manchester City Predictions

• Four of Brighton’s last six league matches have featured at least four goals
• Both teams have scored in eight of Manchester City’s last nine league games
• Brighton have scored at least twice in four of their five home league outings this term

City have to get back in the groove

Manchester City have had little time to pick themselves up from their 4-1 Champions League humbling at Sporting Lisbon and having lost their last three matches, their Saturday trip to Brighton has perhaps become more difficult.

Tottenham and Bournemouth have both got the better of Pep Guardiola’s side in the last fortnight but City are shipping goals in the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, while goal machine Erling Haaland has hit the target in just one of his last six domestic matches.

His penalty miss in Portugal may have also affected his confidence level but it seems likely that City will try and smash their way out of their slump and be positive on their visit to the south coast.

It is easy to forget that their 2-1 loss at Bournemouth last week was their first in the league this season and they have scored at least two goals in eight of their last ten league away matches, so it plainly isn’t time to panic yet, but Guardiola will be keen to make a statement and, in a curious way, that could play into Brighton’s hands.

Seagulls should be positive

The Seagulls have become a highly entertaining outfit under manager Fabian Hurzeler but also unpredictable, an element of their character which was exposed in their last two home games.

They were poor before recovering from two goals down to beat Tottenham 3-2 and then allowed Wolves to come back with two late goals to earn a 2-2 draw when Albion seemed in complete control against the winless Midlands outfit.

They should be encourage by the fact City both teams have found the net in all but one of City’s nine league games since their 2-0 win at Chelsea on the opening weekend and the home crowd could rise to the occasion, so it makes sense to back more than 3.5 goals in the game, while correct-score enthusiasts may be tempted to back a 2-2 draw at a double-figure price.

Kovacic won’t be shy in shooting

It is only a matter of time before Haaland rises from his slump, but City midfielder Mateo Kovacic is an interesting anytime-goalscorer option.

The Croatian has had to take on extra responsibility in Rodri’s injury absence, but he has also made his mark in the final third and no City player other than the Norwegian striker has had more league goal attempts than Kovacic’s tally of 19.

He has had multiple efforts in five of his last six league outings and scored twice in City’s recent 3-2 win over Fulham, so he is worth chancing at a big price to increase his tally.