Pep Guardiola's Man City can temporarily cut Arsenal's lead at the top to three points with a win over Brighton tonight before the Gunners play Liverpool on Thursday.
The Spaniard knows nothing but a will do having seen his side's six-game winning run snapped by two draws to start the year against Sunderland and Chelsea.
They come up against a Brighton side unbeaten in the last three against them. The Seagulls ended their own six-match winless run with a comfortable victory over Burnley and remain in the hunt for Europe.
AllSportsPeople brings you our latest football tips and three huge betting offers for the midweek action including 50/1 for Arsenal to win or draw against Liverpool!
MORE: What is the 50/1 Sky Bet offer for Arsenal vs. Liverpool
Manchester City vs. Brighton Prediction: Who Will Win Today?
Brighton might have got the better of Man City in recent times (two wins and a draw from the last three) but they have never won at the Etihad Stadium.
We can't see that changing here and it feels very unlikely Pep Guardiola will go three league games without a win - it is something that has not happened to City since last season's winter of discontent.
It should be an open game which ultimately should help City's superior attacking talent prevail.
Score Prediction: Man City 3-1 Brighton (9/1 with Bet365)
MORE: Who will win Premier League | Relegation Odds | Sack Race | Golden Boot
Head-to-Head Record: Man City vs. Brighton
- The clubs have met on 28 previous occasions with City coming out on top 17 times to Brighton's six.
- City have never lost at home to Brighton - the 15 game run is their longest unbeaten against any side.
- However, Brighton are unbeaten in the last three games between the pair and beat them 2-1 at the Amex earlier in the season.
MORE: How to claim the 50/1 Paddy Power Arsenal vs. Liverpool offer
Man City vs. Brighton: Form Guide
Man City – Last 5 matches (All competitions)
- Man City 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Sunderland 0-0 Brighton (Premier League)
- Nottingham Forest 1-2 Man City (Premier League)
- Manchester City 3-0 West Ham (Premier League)
- West Ham 2-3 Aston Villa (League Cup)
Brighton – Last 5 matches (All competitions)
- Brighton 2-0 Burnley (Premier League)
- West Ham 2-2 Brighton (Premier League)
- Arsenal 2-1 Brighton (Premier League)
- Brighton 0-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
- Liverpool 2-0 Brighton (Premier League)
Football Tips: Man City vs. Brighton
By his lofty standards, Erling Haaland is in the midst of a goal drought having not scored in his last three league games, which helps explains City's recent dropped points. He is the subject of the first of our two betting angles for the game:
BTTS is a good pick given City are missing first-choice centre backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. Despite his 'drought', Haaland still holds a league-high expected goals (xG) return of 17.54 — Igor Thiago (13.3) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (11.65) are the only other players above 10.
MORE: A step-by-step guide for claiming Betfair's Newcastle vs. Leeds offer
Man City vs. Brighton Team News, Injury List
Man City Team News
- City were plunged into a defensive crisis when both Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol came off in the draw with Chelsea.
- Neither will play here and their injury diagnosis could play a big role in the title race.
- Rodri came through unscathed though and is likely to start again here.
- Jeremy Doku could come in for Bernardo Silva to give City more pace in attack.
Brighton Team News
- Fabian Hurzeler also has several iniuries to deal with as well as the continued absence of Carlos Baleba after Cameroon qualified for the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
- He is likely to stick with the same side that comfortably beat Burnley as a result.
Will Semenyo play against Brighton?
No, Antoine Semenyo is booked in for a medical after agreeing a £65 million transfer from Bournemouth to Man City but is likely to still turn out for the Cherries against Tottenham tonight.
Man City vs. Brighton Lineups: Predicted Starting XI’s
This is how we think the two teams will line up at the Etihad Stadium with Pep Guardiola forced into defensive changes alongside restoring Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, while Brighton are unchanged from the win over Burnley.
Man City predicted lineup to play Brighton
Donnarumma (GK) – Nunes, Ake, Khusanov, O'Reilly – Rodri, Reijnders – Doku, Foden, Cherki – Haaland
- Out: Dias, Gvardiol, Stones, Kovacic, Bobb, Marmoush, Ait-Nouri (both AFCON)
- Doubtful: Nico
- Suspension: N/A
Brighton predicted lineup to play Man City
Verbruggen (GK) – Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu – Ayari, Gruda – Gomez, Rutter, Mitoma – Kostoulas
- Out: Tzimas, Webster, Wieffer, March, Baleba (AFCON)
- Doubtful: Minteh
- Suspension: N/A
What are the odds for Man City vs. Brighton?
- Man City to win: 2/5 with AK Bets
- Brighton to win: 15/2 with 10Bet
- Draw: 9/2 with AK Bets
Man City vs. Brighton Bet Builder Tips
Our bet builder for Man City vs. Brighton is a home win, both teams to score, Haaland to score anytime and over 3.5 cards. That came in at 5.38/1 with Paddy Power at the time of writing.
MORE: Best UK free bets | Biggest January Events | Top 10 Football Betting Sites
Man City vs. Brighton TV Channel, Live Stream
- Date: Wednesday, January 7
- Venue: Eithad Stadium, Manchester
- Time: 19:30 GMT
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports / Sky Go