Manchester City welcome Brighton to the Etihad Stadium for an exciting showdown in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday. This match is the first of a double-header at the Etihad, with the Carabao Cup game followed by a Premier League match featuring the same opponents on Saturday.
Manchester City have been in stellar form this season, going seven Premier League games unbeaten until their most recent fixture on Saturday, in which the Sky Blues lost 2-1 away to Aston Villa.
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Villa’s Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson scored twice to secure the win for the home side at Villa Park, despite a 52nd-minute goal from Erling Haaland.
City are first in the EPL table on 21 points, tied with rivals Arsenal but above them due to their superior goal difference.
Enzo Maresca’s men entered the Carabao Cup in the third round, due to their qualifications for European club football, and advanced by securing a dominant 5-0 victory over EFL Championship side Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium on 17 September.
City’s players kept the scoreboard busy, with a brace from Floyd Samba added to strikes from Rayan Cherki, Allan, and Ryan McAidoo, allowing the Premier League giants to continue their cup journey into the last 16.
Meanwhile, Brighton are enjoying an excellent season in the English top flight, sitting third in the standings with 16 points from eight games, five points away from their Carabao Cup opponent, Man City, and Arsenal.
The Seagulls have been scoring for fun in the EPL, winning 5-0 away to Coventry City, 5-0 at home to Crystal Palace, and 3-0 at home to Arsenal, with Brighton still the only Premier League side to beat the Gunners this season.
They are so prolific, in fact, that Brighton have scored more goals than any other team in the league at this stage, with 23 goals to their name, three more than Man City’s 20 strikes.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side are involved in the UEFA Conference League, so they also entered the EFL Cup in the third round, where they defeated Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford on 16 September.
Man United thought they were headed for a comfortable victory when Shea Lacey and Mason Mount put them 2-0 up by the 10th minute, but Charalampos Kostoulas, Pascal Groß, and Maxime De Cuyper netted to complete an impressive turnaround and see the Red Devils eliminated in the third round.
Manchester City vs Brighton head-to-head stats and key numbers
- Manchester City have enjoyed a dominant historical record against Brighton and Hove Albion, with 20 wins from 33 matches, and five draws between them.
- Brighton have managed to beat Man City on eight occasions, but only three times in their last 19 games.
- Last season in the Premier League, Brighton beat Manchester City 2-1 in the Seagulls’ home game, with the sides drawing 1-1 in the match at the Etihad.
- Phil Foden is the top scorer in this fixture, with eight goals for Man City against Brighton, followed by Erling Haaland on seven.
Manchester City vs Brighton prediction
Manchester City are expected to control possession using their fluid passing and tactical discipline, aiming to exploit space left behind Brighton’s high defensive line with their incredible depth of attacking firepower, headed by Haaland.
Brighton will likely count on their high-intensity, aggressive pressing style to win back some of the possession, launching dangerous attacks through wide combinations.
Brighton are in great form this season, but the same can be said about the hosts, and we expect Manchester City to secure a narrow victory at the Etihad.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Brighton
Manchester City vs Brighton betting tips
Tip 1: Manchester City to win
Tip 2: Both teams to score
Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli
