The Amex Stadium will host one of the most anticipated matches of the weekend as Brighton & Hove Albion prepare to welcome Manchester City in a clash that carries weight for both teams in very different ways.
The Seagulls head into this game looking to build on their emphatic 6-0 victory at Oxford United in the Carabao Cup — a performance that gave supporters a glimpse of the fluid attacking football Fabian Hurzeler wants to restore after a hesitant start in the league that has left them short on points compared to expectations.
Brighton's league campaign has not started as smoothly as last season with the south coast club drawing with Fulham and losing to Everton, but Hurzeler will be encouraged by the goals his side scored in midweek.
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City travel south following a jarring 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham, which exposed some cracks in their usual control and raised questions around balance. Pep Guardiola's side start the weekend sixth in the table after one win and one loss.
However, the Catalan coach will be encouraged by the return of Rodri and Phil Foden, who made substitute appearances against Spurs. City's response at the Amex will be closely watched as dropping more points this early in the season could bring pressure Guardiola would rather avoid.
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Brighton vs. Man City lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Brighton head into the weekend with key absentees but a largely fit squad. Adam Webster remains a long-term casualty after suffering a knee ligament injury in training last month with surgery scheduled in the coming weeks. Solly March is also unavailable, although the winger is expected to return to full training in September.
On the positive side, Georginio Rutter, who missed the last game with a minor knock, is being assessed ahead of Sunday, with some reports confirming that Rutter will be given every chance to prove his fitness. If he is not ready, Danny Welbeck will again lead the line.
Jack Hinshelwood, who was not deemed ready for the opener, has returned to training and is an option both in midfield and at right-back.
The midfield pairing of Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari looks set to continue with Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma offering width in attack.
Matt O'Riley is expected to operate behind the striker in Hurzeler's 4-2-3-1 setup, although transfer speculation means he could be left out.
Brighton predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Verbruggen (GK) — Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper — Baleba, Ayari— Minteh, O'Riley, Mitoma — Welbeck
Injured: Webster (knee), March (knee), Enciso (knee), Rutter (doubt)
Suspended: None
City are set to welcome back key players for their clash with Brighton, although Ederson may not be among them: the Brazilian is expected to sign for Galatasaray before the transfer window closes.
Josko Gvardiol has resumed training but remains a doubt and Guardiola will decide closer to kickoff if the defender is ready for selection. Rayan Ait-Nouri was forced off on his debut against Tottenham with an ankle problem but the issue is not considered serious, although he remains a doubt.
Mateo Kovacic and Kalvin Phillips are long-term absentees, while Savinho is sidelined. In midfield, Rodri and Phil Foden returned from the bench against Spurs, and the former is expected to start against Brighton.
Rico Lewis struggled in his right-back outing last week, so Guardiola may opt for adjustments, with Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake candidates to start in the back line alongside Ruben Dias.
Man City predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Trafford (GK) — Nunes, Stones, Dias, Ake — Reijnders, Rodri, Silva — Doku, Haaland, Foden
Injured: Kovacic (Achilles), Phillips (Achilles), Savinho (unspecified), Gvardiol (knock, doubt), Ait-Nouri (knee, doubt)
Suspended: None
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Brighton vs. Man City match details
- Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
- Kickoff time: 11:00 p.m. AEST
- Location: Amex Stadium, Brighton and Hove (England)
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Darren England
- VAR: Paul Tierney