| Odds via 22bet | |
| Brighton vs Manchester City | November 20, 20:00 GMT+1 |
| Brighton odds | 4.16 |
| Manchester City odds | 1.74 |
| Draw | 4.16 |
| Over\Under | Total 2,5: 1.47/1.36 |
Brighton are currently eighth in the Premier League table, only three points shy of third place, and have established themselves as one of the most entertaining teams this season.
Tactically, Fabian Hürzeler’s team can easily adjust his formation based on their opponents’ actions. The German coach is skilled at pinpointing weaknesses and knows how to exploit them effectively.
Brighton are not merely reactive, waiting for their opponents to make mistakes. On the contrary, the Seagulls employ one of the highest defensive lines in Europe and consistently apply intense pressure in every match.
At the same time, Hürzeler’s team has all players clearly understanding their roles on the pitch, allowing them to change positions dynamically. The Seagulls excel at controlling the ball in the center of the pitch and effectively moving it into the penalty area through versatile combinations.
Even Liverpool found it tough to halt Brighton’s attacks, as the Seagulls progressed their plays superbly, creating a tactical 2v1 advantage on the right flank.
| Recent Form | LLDWW |
| Key Players to Watch | Carlos Baleba, Danny Welbeck, Jan Paul van Hecke |
| Team Strengths | High-pressing and positional attacks. |
| Team Weaknesses | Vulnerable defensive line. |
| Key injuries and suspensions. | Adam Webster (Thigh Injury), James Milner (Thigh Injury), João Pedro (Ankle/Foot Injury), Solomon March (Knee Injury) |
For the first time in many years, Manchester City are not topping the Premier League table in terms of expected points. This unusual situation highlights the challenges the team is facing this season.
In previous seasons, Guardiola’s squad has often found itself in second or third place in the real Premier League standings for extended periods, only to make a strong push to the top in the final stretch. However, they consistently held the first position in expected points from the very beginning of those seasons.
So, what happened to the Manchester City players? Why did they suffer two defeats in early November, first in the Premier League against Bournemouth and then in the Champions League against Sporting CP, teams that are not considered top-tier opponents? Previously, City managed to handle such teams with ease.
One key factor to note is the absence of Rodri. Without the Spanish midfielder orchestrating play, City struggles significantly with the transition from defense to attack and vice versa.
At the beginning of the season, while Rodri was on a well-deserved break, City performed quite well, securing four wins in four matches. Mateo Kovačić even scored goals and generally contributed effectively in defense. However, in the long run, the lack of Rodri is very noticeable, as his performance in all phases of the game is incredibly high, making him nearly irreplaceable.
The second major issue is City’s regular lapses in defense, affecting both the full-backs and center-backs. Poor positioning in the penalty area during wide cutbacks and crosses, failures in one-on-one situations, and a lack of organization in the offside line were evident against Bournemouth and Sporting.
Furthermore, Guardiola exacerbated the situation in Lisbon by starting 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who struggled during the match and was arguably one of the main reasons for the defeat.
The third problem lies in Pep Guardiola’s attacking experiments. This season, his team has delivered the ball into the penalty area from the flanks much less frequently and has been primarily attacking through the center.
This narrow setup has often led to players crowding each other, making it easier for opposing defenses to keep them at bay.
Additionally, Manchester City frequently employs a risky formation of 3-1-6 or 2-1-7, which leaves too few players available to manage counterattacks. This is why the Citizens have become quite vulnerable during transitions from attack to defense.
| Recent Form | LLLWW |
| Key Player to Watch | Kevin De Bruyne |
| Team Strengths | Powerful squad, top coach. |
| Team Weaknesses | Vulnerable flanks of the defence. |
| Key Injuries and suspensions | Rodri (Knee Injury), Oscar Bobb (Calf/Shin/Heel Injury), Rúben Dias, Jack Grealish, John Stones ( Ankle/Foot Injury) |
Brighton have managed to defeat Manchester City only once in the Premier League, which occurred in May 2021 when Guardiola’s team was already unmotivated to secure points as they were preparing for the Champions League final.
In all other matches, Manchester City consistently emerged victorious, regardless of who was managing Brighton. However, in May 2023, Brighton played a draw against Guardiola’s team at home, although that match also had little impact on the championship race.
Kevin De Bruyne has recovered from his injury just in time, as Manchester City is currently facing challenges not only in defense but also in finishing their attacks. The Belgian playmaker will undoubtedly become a key player for Manchester City in the attacking lineup upon his return.
Bet hereThere is no doubt that Hürzeler’s will prepare a series of tactical surprises for Manchester City, aiming to exploit the visitors’ weaknesses.
Conversely, Manchester City will likely try to take full advantage of long balls behind Brighton’s high defensive line. With De Bruyne back in the mix, he and Haaland could cooperate effectively in such situations through penetrating passes and well-timed runs, making it difficult for Brighton to catch their opponents offside.
Manchester City secured only two victories in their last six away matches, and the encounter with Brighton is expected to be quite challenging.
Similar to Bournemouth in the previous round, Hürzeler’s team will likely apply significant pressure and aim to conduct intense vertical attacks, which could lead to substantial difficulties for Manchester City once again.
However, the return of Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola’s remarkable ability to devise effective strategies in crisis situations suggests that the visitors are unlikely to lose this match.
Brighton and Manchester City have scored goals in almost every match this season, so it’s reasonable to expect that both teams will find the back of the net in this game as well.
Furthermore, both teams employ a high defensive line that is not always reliable. Brighton and Manchester City also occasionally struggle with transitions from attack to defense. Therefore, it’s unlikely that either team will manage to keep a clean sheet in this match.
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