Match Overview

Manchester City welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the Etihad Stadium for a midweek Premier League meeting. City’s home form and possession game set the tone, while Brighton arrive aiming to build on their August win over the champions. Recent clashes between these sides have tended to produce goals, adding intrigue to the tactical matchup. With City targeting the top and Brighton seeking a statement result, the margins could be defined by efficiency in both boxes.

• Fixture: Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: Etihad Stadium
• Date: 07-01-2026
• Kickoff: 19:30 GMT / 19:30 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Manchester City

• G. Donnarumma
• Rúben Dias
• J. Gvardiol
• N. Aké
• R. Aït-Nouri
• Matheus Nunes
• P. Foden
• Bernardo Silva
• R. Cherki
• E. Haaland
• J. Doku

Brighton & Hove Albion

• B. Verbruggen
• J. van Hecke
• L. Dunk
• F. Kadioglu
• M. De Cuyper
• Y. Ayari
• D. Gómez
• C. Baleba
• J. Hinshelwood
• D. Welbeck
• G. Rutter

Injury & Suspension Report

Manchester City

• None reported

Brighton & Hove Albion

• None reported

Head-to-Head

Across 28 meetings, Manchester City hold the advantage with 17 wins, Brighton have 6 victories, and 5 matches have ended level. Recent matchups have been open, with the last nine producing just over three goals per game and the most recent three combining for 10 goals. Brighton did win 2-1 in August, a reminder that they can trouble City if they take their chances.

Match Analysis & Prediction

City’s home edge and attacking rhythm

Manchester City’s recent home output is strong: 11 goals in their last five at the Etihad underline a reliable attacking pattern. Their approach remains high-tempo and possession-focused, with quick combinations through midfield. In tighter contests against peers, City have averaged about 1.33 goals and kept opponents to very limited chances. Erling Haaland’s brace in the 3-3 draw with West Ham highlights the cutting edge available, with service from Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden key to unlocking compact defenses. City sit second on 41 points from 19 games, reflecting consistency even when margins are narrow.

Brighton’s recent run and goal threat

Brighton arrive after a lean spell in front of goal, scoring no more than four times across their last five matches, a run that produced two defeats and three draws. The squad is intact, and D. Gómez’s return as an away threat is notable after six goals in 13 road appearances this season. Against sides of comparable standing, Brighton have shown they can score—averaging two per game—while conceding slightly over one. The challenge is translating spells of possession into clear chances at the Etihad.

Tactical outlook and key matchups

City’s back line of Rúben Dias, J. Gvardiol, N. Aké and R. Aït-Nouri should see plenty of the ball, stepping into midfield to compress space. Matheus Nunes linking with Bernardo Silva and P. Foden provides the control that feeds R. Cherki between lines and the direct threat of J. Doku and E. Haaland. Brighton’s structure relies on L. Dunk’s leadership, J. van Hecke’s duels, and progressive full-back play from F. Kadioglu and M. De Cuyper. In midfield, Y. Ayari, C. Baleba and J. Hinshelwood must handle City’s press and find early passes into D. Welbeck and G. Rutter, with Gómez arriving from midfield positions to add shots from the second line.

Set pieces and transitions could decide the tempo: City’s control tends to pin opponents back, but Brighton’s best moments often come when they break the press quickly. If City maintain flow and supply to Haaland, they have the edge; if Brighton convert the few big opportunities they create—as in August—they can make this tight. Prediction: Manchester City to win a competitive game, 2-1.