Brighton & Hove Albion
Manchester City FC
Manchester City FC
Champions City travel to 17th place Brighton aiming to build momentum ahead of Champions League final
Manchester City to win 2-0
Manchester City were involved in one of the surprise entertaining games of the season in their last fixture, edging out Newcastle in a 4-3 thriller.
With the Champions League final now less than two weeks away, City will want to build as much confidence as possible with the final two games of the season, here against Brighton before ending at home to Everton.
As usual, Pep will chop and change his line-up, with Sergio Aguero entering his final two weeks as a City player. Can they move one step closer to the close of the season in style?
Brighton will at least have fans at the stadium for this one, cheering their side on after what has been a tense season for the Seagulls.
They’ve flirted with danger all season, only to have their safety confirmed a couple of weeks ago with Fulham’s relegation. Can they give them a performance to remember?
Form Guide (all comps): DLWLD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Return of fans should provide a lift
Dunk and Maupay will return after suspension
Reasons to be fearful:
Were beaten by City earlier in the season
Just one win from their last seven
It has been touch and go for Brighton for most of the season and while most people believed that Brighton had too much quality to go down, it has only recently been confirmed that they’ll spend a fifth consecutive season in the Premier League.
Only five teams in the league have scored fewer than the South coast side, and although their defence has been relatively solid, they have struggled to convert good performances into winning results.
That said, they will view survival as a positive to build on next season.
Positively, they have defender Lewis Dunk and striker Neal Maupay back to face City, with both suspended for their last game.
With the return of fans for this fixture, can they inspire the Seagulls onto a stirring performance here?
Star Man – Danny Welbeck
Scored in the draw against West Ham last week, and is enjoying his best goalscoring season in seven years.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWLW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Confidence is sky-high after league victory
Won eight league games in a row against Brighton
Reasons to be fearful:
Kevin De Bruyne remains injured
Significant rotation could lead to complacency
City will continue their charge towards the Champions League final aiming for yet another victory against Brighton, a team who they’ve enjoyed a strong record over in recent years.
The Citizens have won all of their last eight meetings with the South coast side, and will determined to add to that here, picking up three points and boosting their confidence further ahead of arguably the biggest match in their history in 11 days’ time.
As usual, Guardiola will ensure that more of his squad receive game time, with the likes of Torres, Foden, Gundogan, Jesus and Silva all rotated in and out of the side as the manager sees fit.
While the absence of De Bruyne won’t be felt here, it would be a concern should he be unavailable for too much longer.
Star Man – Ferran Torres
With a hattrick in the win over Newcastle, he will surely get an opportunity to continue his good form here.
City are heavy favourites
Brighton will need to defend well to stop City
Can Torres continue goalscoring form?
There is little pressure on either of these teams to win here, with City champions and Brighton safe.
You would think that City will be the more determined of the two, looking to build momentum ahead of their Champions League final with Chelsea, and because of that they are favourites here.
Manchester City to win 2-0
