Analysing Brighton ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash | OneFootball

An in-depth look at this week’s opponents…

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We host the Seagulls at the Etihad Stadium in a 19:30 (UK) kick-off on Wednesday 7 January.

After Sunday’s draw with Chelsea, we go into the game with 42 points from 20 matches. That means we’re six points behind leaders Arsenal.

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The reverse fixture with Brighton saw us go down 2-1 on the south coast all the way back in August after two second-half strikes saw them come from behind.

Here we’ll use Opta data to find out more about the side we’ll face this time…

Recent form

Brighton sit 10th in a congested Premier League table, with 28 points from 20 games.

However, they are just three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and one point ahead of 14th-placed Crystal Palace, highlighting just how quickly their fortunes can change.

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Saturday’s home win over Burnley was their first Premier League three points in seven games, stretching back to the end of November.

In that run, they’ve drawn with the likes of West Ham and Sunderland while suffering defeats to Aston Villa, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Preferred formation

Brighton have favoured 4-2-3-1 throughout much of their eight-and-a-half years in the Premier League to date.

So far this season, Bart Verbruggen has been the first choice between the sticks, with Ferdi Kadioglu, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk and Maxim De Cuyper the main men in defence ahead of him.

Diego Gomez, Yasin Ayari and Georginio Rutter are amongst the regulars behind main striker Danny Welbeck.

Pascal Gross, a fan favourite, has returned to the club this month from Borussia Dortmund after leaving for Germany in the summer of 2024.

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Energetic midfielder Carlos Baleba is at AFCON, while the likes of Adam Webster, Solly March and Mats Wieffer are expected to be out through injury.

Manager

At just 32, Fabian Hurzeler is younger than some members of his squad.

The German led St Pauli to promotion before joining Brighton in the summer of 2024 and winning the Premier League Manager of the Month that August.

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He has an exceptional record against Pep Guardiola, having won two and drawn the other meeting between the sides since taking over.

That’s part of a general trend that’s seen the Seagulls perform well under his guidance, winning 23 of his 58 Premier League matches in charge so far.

Head-to-head record

The two sides have met on 17 occasions in the Premier League, with City winning 12 and scoring 44.

Eight of those matches have come at the Etihad and the Blues have been victorious in seven of those.

We have scored in every single one of our 17 matches at this level, our joint-best 100% scoring record against an opponent along with Bournemouth.

How they attack

Brighton’s 30 goals so far is the ninth most in the division, but they have created an xG of 32.4, which is the fifth best in the league.

They’ve netted exactly 50% of their Opta-defined ‘big chances’ so far this season, which is better han anyone else in the league – showing just how clinical they are when given the opportunity.

And with 15 different goalscorers thus far, they’ve shared out the duties in front of goal more than any other side.

Brighton are one of just three sides yet to score a goal on the break this season, with City doing so six times by comparison.

The Seagulls focus on pressing high up the pitch too, winning possession 101 times in the final third – the most in the Premier League.

Danny Welbeck is their star man in front of goal, netting eight times in total – the joint-fourth best in the division.

How they defend

With 27 goals conceded, Brighton’s defence is very much in the middle of the Premier League pack.

They are slightly outperforming their xG though, having conceded 28.3 worth of chances.

With only three headed goals conceded so far, only City are stronger in the air defensively.

They’re comparatively slow starters, letting in 15 goals before the break – the fifth most in the league – and 12 after – the fifth least in the league.

Expect a lot of fouls, with their 242 committed the third most and their 49 yellow cards so far the second most across all 20 sides.

City v Brighton tickets on general sale

We welcome an entertaining Brighton side to the Etihad at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 7 January.

And with tickets now on general sale, you could be there to see it!

Fans can now claim three tickets each, with adults from £30 and concessions as low as £15.

Or make it a night to remember with hospitality packages starting from just £180 per person and a wide range of experiences available to suit your budget.

Kick off the new year in style!