Manchester City host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It is the second meeting between the sides in four days, after City came from behind twice to beat Brighton on penalties in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday following a 2-2 draw. Maresca’s side are clinging to top spot on goal difference after champions Arsenal drew level on points, while Hurzeler’s Brighton sit five points back in third. City’s perfect start to the season under Maresca ended at Aston Villa last weekend, their first defeat in the league, and defensive form has become a concern: they have conceded 11 goals across their last five matches in all competitions, shipping at least two in three of those games.
Brighton, meanwhile, have not won any of their last three matches across three different competitions since thrashing Crystal Palace 5-0 almost a fortnight ago, and Hurzeler was left “disappointed” after what he felt were two “unlucky” goals conceded in midweek. City’s home record offers little encouragement for the visitors, though: they have lost just once in their last 22 Premier League matches at the Etihad and have never been beaten by Brighton there in 18 previous meetings.
Manchester City vs Brighton – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
- Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
- Venue: Etihad Stadium
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- VAR: John Brooks
- Last meeting: Manchester City 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion (Man City won on penalties), 28 October 2026, EFL Cup
Team news
Manchester City
Antoine Semenyo is the only confirmed absentee, while Matheus Nunes is a doubt having missed the last two matches. Gianluigi Donnarumma returns in goal after Maresca confirmed he remains first choice despite Geronimo Rulli’s penalty-shootout heroics, with Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson and Erling Haaland all set to return having been rested in midweek.
Brighton
Kaoru Mitoma, Femi Azeez, Pascal Struijk, Evan Ferguson, Stefanos Tzimas and Zadok Yohanna remain out, but Ferdi Kadioglu and Chema Andres are expected to return after missing the EFL Cup tie with hip problems. Charalampos Kostoulas, the club’s top scorer with five goals, was rested on Wednesday and should return to lead the line.
Form
Manchester City
City have conceded 11 goals in their last five matches across all competitions, with at least two shipped on three occasions, a run of defensive form Maresca will be eager to address.
Brighton
Brighton are the Premier League’s top scorers with 23 goals but have collected just two points from a possible 27 at the Etihad across their history as a top-flight side, their worst record at any ground in the division.
Predicted lineups
Manchester City possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Bouaddi; Foden, Fernandez, Doku; Haaland
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Dunk, Vuskovic, Boscagli; Gross, Andres; Gomez, Ayari, De Cuyper; Kostoulas
How to watch Manchester City vs Brighton?
This fixture falls in the 3pm Saturday blackout and is not being broadcast live in the UK.
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