Man City predicted line-up vs Brighton: eight changes made amid big Foden and Doku starting calls
The latest Man City team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their Premier League clash with Brighton
Manchester City will head into the weekend in high spirits, after seeing off Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties in the Carabao Cup earlier in the week. They’ll now play them again in the Premier League, with the two sides going head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium for a second time in just a matter of days.
As things stand, Enzo Maresca’s side - amid ongoing speculation over the outcome of their punishment verdict from the Premier League - sit top of the division on goal difference, one point ahead of champions Arsenal. Brighton are five points behind in third place, after a highly impressive start to the new campaign that has seen them score 23 goals in eight games.
Heading into this weekend’s clash, City have a largely clean bill of health across their expensively assembled squad. Matheus Nunes has been out for the last two games with a muscular injury and remains a doubt ahead of this weekend, while star winger Antoine Semenyo won’t be back until around Christmas due to a knee injury.
As City go through their final preparations for their Saturday afternoon clash against the Seagulls, this is the most likely starting XI that Maresca will field at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City predicted XI vs Brighton: goalkeeper and defence
With Ederson now plying his trade in Turkey, Gianluigi Donnarumma is the main man between the sticks at Man City. He had the night off Carabao Cup duties in midweek, with veteran stopper Geronimo Rulli, taking his place in goal, but the towering Italy international will return to don the gloves in this weekend’s clash against the Seagulls.
With Maresca set to stick by his tried and tested formation, a familiar back four set-up will be deployed to face Fabian Hurzeler’s side. Nunes is close to a return but likely to start on the bench if he makes the squad, so Abdukodir Khusanov could fill in at right-back again after Rico Lewis did the honours in midweek.
Marc Guehi played the full ninety minutes in his side’s prior game, and is set to do so again as he prepares to make his 225th career league appearance. He’s set to be paired with Ruben Dias, who remained at the club over the summer despite being linked with a move away throughout the last transfer window.
At left-back, star man Josko Gvardiol will be preparing to make more marauding runs down the flank, after enjoying a renaissance in the early stages of Maresca’s reign. This isn’t great news for England international international Nico O’Reilly, who has had limited minutes so far this season amid the Croatia star’s rejuvenation.
Will Foden start against Brighton?
In midfield, Maresca is spoilt for choice when it comes to his two central options. Matteo Kovacic and Ayyoub Bouaddi played in the cup win over Brighton, which allowed more established members of the squad to be rested. £125m mega signing Enzo Fernandez looks set to start, alongside his new midfield partner Elliot Anderson, who joined for a not too shabby £116m.
With Semenyo out, Phil Foden could start on the right wing, despite Iliman Ndiaye providing an assist in the same spot last weekend, setting up Erling Haaland for City’s only goal in their 2-1 loss away to Aston Villa. On the left, Jeremy Doku will be eager to capitalise on his opportunity for more first team minutes, while attacking midfield diamond Rayan Cherki will take up a central position.
Up top, Haaland has the chance to motor away in the race to win the Golden Boot award, with Chelsea’s Joao Pedro now injured. Haaland has scored nine goals already in the league this season, putting him three ahead of Liverpool’s Alexander Isak, his current closest rival for the honour. The City vice-captain has now scored a mighty 175 goals in just 209 games for the club.
Man City predicted line-up vs Brighton: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.