The teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before City progressed with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory. However, the focus now switches back to league action, where Enzo Maresca’s side will be determined to respond to their first defeat of the campaign, while Brighton arrive looking to maintain their impressive start.
City remain top of the table with 21 points from eight matches, level on points with Arsenal but ahead on goal difference. Brighton occupy third place with 16 points, having won five, drawn one and lost two of their opening eight league fixtures.
Maresca’s side saw their perfect start come to an end with a 2-1 defeat away to Aston Villa on 24 October. The Italian will therefore be looking for a positive response, although he knows Brighton are unlikely to make life straightforward for the hosts.
The City manager has been particularly impressed by the visitors’ attacking approach and their ability to create opportunities against different opponents.
“They score many goals and create many chances against any team. It’s going to be a tough game.”
Maresca also highlighted Brighton’s aggressive pressing and willingness to commit several players forward, warning that his team will need to maintain the right defensive balance.
The statistics underline the attacking quality on both sides. Brighton have scored 23 Premier League goals this season, compared with City’s 20, while Opta data places the two clubs first and second for expected goals, at 16.7 and 16.2 respectively. Both teams have also demonstrated an ability to find the net through different players, with 11 separate goalscorers recorded across their squads.
Another talking point ahead of Saturday’s fixture is the potential partnership between Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden. The two impressed together during Wednesday’s cup encounter, prompting Maresca to discuss the possibility of using them alongside one another more regularly.
“They can play together for sure. It’s one more weapon for us.”
The City boss also praised Cherki’s growing influence within the squad, suggesting that the playmaker has the qualities to become a leader. However, Maresca stressed that responsibility should not rest on one individual.
“It is important that all the players step up in these kinds of things.”
Maresca also reflected positively on his first four months in charge, acknowledging that changes to both the management team and playing squad require time. He believes City are progressing in the right direction, pointing to their continued involvement in several competitions as evidence of the team’s development.
City have received an encouraging update on availability, with Maresca confirming that Antoine Semenyo is the only player unavailable for Saturday’s match. The winger is continuing his recovery and rehabilitation, but the manager has indicated that he could be out for around eight weeks. The remaining squad members are available for selection, giving Maresca options as he considers changes following the midweek cup tie.
Brighton, meanwhile, will return to Manchester determined to turn Wednesday’s disappointment into a positive league result. Despite twice taking the lead in the cup encounter, Hürzeler’s side were eventually eliminated on penalties, but the manager believes there were plenty of encouraging aspects to their performance.
“Success is the only revenge.”
Hürzeler has made it clear that the result will not change his team’s approach to the rematch.
“There will be different players on the pitch, but our approach won’t change.”
The Brighton manager also explained that choosing his starting line-up will depend on which players have recovered sufficiently from Wednesday’s demanding contest. He wants his squad to be mentally and physically prepared for the intensity required against City.
“We need to go there with a mentally and physically refreshed team because we need intensity against City.”
There is positive news for the visitors regarding availability. Ferdi Kadioglu and Chema Andres are expected to return after missing the cup fixture with hip injuries, while Charalampos Kostoulas is also available after being rested. Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer came through Wednesday’s match without further problems and are expected to be options. Pascal Struijk remains sidelined but is training with the Under-21s and could return to the senior squad next week.
The recent league meetings also suggest Brighton are capable of troubling the champions. City enjoyed a dominant record in the earlier part of their Premier League rivalry, but have not won any of the last six league encounters, with Brighton recording three victories and three draws. Their previous league meeting at the Etihad ended 1-1 in January, while Brighton also won 2-1 on home soil at the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
With City looking to protect their position at the summit and Brighton aiming to close the gap on the leading sides, Saturday’s encounter carries considerable importance. The midweek cup meeting has already demonstrated how closely matched the teams can be, but this time the reward will be valuable Premier League points rather than a place in the next round.
