Manchester City and Brighton will have some scores to settle when they both lock horns in the Premier League on match day 29 of the 2024-25 season. The Citizens, before the season started, were the team to beat in the title race but things changed for them in the final weeks of 2024, while the visitors are slowly working their way back into top-four contention.
As of the time of writing, Manchester City are seventh on the log with 27 points, while Brighton find themselves in 10th with 25 points to their name.
Manchester City had lost just once in the Premier League until November, but since a slump in performance, they have suffered two more losses and are now chasing Liverpool and Arsenal in the title race. The recent slump also followed them into the Champions League where they lost scandalously to then Ruben Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon.
November was not a great month for the Citizens as they struggled to pick points in the easiest of matches. Guardiola’s side lost to Bournemouth at the start of the month before they were thoroughly beaten by Sporting in the UCL. Back in the Premier League, they suffered back-to-back losses to Brighton and Manchester City before league leaders Liverpool also beat them 2-0 at Anfield to extend their lead at the top of the log.
After the defeat at Anfield, Guardiola said his side was going to start from ground zero.
“I congratulate them [Liverpool] and we’ll reset and start from zero and it is difficult to believe it,” Guardiola said. “We will restart and try to make a good run.
“We accept the reality as it is and recover. I want the team back, the players back.
“I rely a lot on these players, I know they are doing in this position. We’ll see what happens by the end of the season. I have the feeling from here that we can build something, maybe you can call me delusional, but I feel we can do it.
“The first 15, 20 minutes Liverpool were unstoppable, they started so strong, we tried to play with a lot of control and passes, but it was difficult to take it,’ the former Barcelona gaffer concluded.
After the defeat at Anfield, Manchester City went on to lose to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United at home in the Premier League, Aston Villa on the road and Juventus in the UEFA Champions League. As of the time of writing, the Citizens have won just once in their past 10 matches in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola said he is “not good enough” to solve Manchester City’s mounting problems after his side lost to rivals Manchester United via two late goals.
“I’m the boss, I’m the manager, I have to find solutions but I don’t find solutions,” he said in his press conference.
“This is a big club and when you lose eight [out of 11 games] something is wrong. You can say the schedule is tough or the injuries to players, but no.
“I’m the manager and I’m not good enough, simple as that. I have to find a way to talk to them, to train them in the way we need to play, to press the way we need to press.
“I’m not good enough. I’m not doing well. That is the truth,” the former Barcelona manager concluded.
As of the time of writing, Meanwhile, Brighton have been decent in the Premier League this season. They are currently fighting for one of the European spots. The Seagulls have beaten Manchester City and have taken a point off Arsenal. Judging by that and their position on the log, they are having a fine season. They did not make it to Europe last term, but they will be pleased with what they have done so far. In addition, they will be keen to maintain that form by finishing strong. At the time of writing, Brighton are without a win in their past five Premier League matches.
When the first installment of this fixture was played back in 2024, Manchester City were second on the log, but since the defeat at the AMEX to the Seagulls, it has been from one defeat to the other for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester City and Brighton have met 17 times in the past. The Citizens have won 15 times, while Brighton have won two games, while the remaining two games produced no winner.
Match tickets
This highly anticipated match at Etihad Stadium in Manchester kicks off on Saturday 15th March 2025, at 15:00 UK time.
The magnificent 53,400-capacity stadium is the place to be for this clash between the defending champions and the Seagulls.
Getting Manchester City v Brighton tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
The champions have Rodrigo out until the end of the season, while Kevin De Bruyne has been struggling with some injury problems as well and Oscar Bobb is not expected back until the new year. Midfielders Gundogan and Kovacic should continue their partnership, while Haaland will be expected to lead the line if he is fit. Meanwhile, most of the players out now should be back before this contest.
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, Ruben Diaz, Matteo Kovacic, Gundogan, Silva, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden.
Barring injuries, Georginio Rutter, Joao Pedro, and Mitoma are all expected to line up behind in-form Welbeck as he prepares to face his former side in a crucial Premier League game.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan; Wieffer, O’Riley; Rutter, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Prediction
Easily, Manchester City were the team to beat in the Premier League before the start of this season and they made a good start until things went south. They will need some strong performances to finish well on the log at the end of the season. So, getting a result against Brighton at home is very important. Getting your Manchester City tickets early is equally important as well.
As for Brighton, they have blown hot and cold as well, but they managed to take all three points in the reverse fixture. If Manchester City find their rhythm based on the quality of their players, they should be able to walk away with all three points.
Manchester City 3-1 Brighton
