Brighton vs Manchester City
Date: 12/05/2019
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Amex Stadium
Referee: Michael Oliver
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Manchester City’s title hopes rest upon the result of their last match of the season as the Citizens travel to the Amex attempting to secure their second consecutive Premier League title.
What an incredible week for English football. Liverpool beating the Blaugrana’s at Anfield, Tottenham toppling over an unwavering Ajax in Amsterdam; now eyes shift back towards the Premier League and to the question of who will be crowned champion? It all sounds far too exciting to be true but history is unraveling itself before a very lucky generation of football fans.
Manchester City will be wanting to capitalize on that excitement and with rivals Liverpool and Tottenham reaching the Champions League final, the Citizens will be determined to crush Brighton and secure yet another title. It has been an unprecedented title race and although plenty of focus has been placed on the two heavyweights in the race, attention must also be given to the other two teams who have a say in who is crowned, Wolves and Brighton.
Brighton have finally recovered from an awful run of form that produced some of the ugliest and most boring football of the season. That recovery is something Guardiola will definitely be cautious off come Sunday afternoon – after all, this side almost managed a draw with his side in their FA Cup semifinal earlier in the year. Many assume that with Brighton’s place in the Premier League secured for next season, the Seagulls will roll over for Manchester City, but Chris Hughton has dispelled such ideas.
Indeed, the Brighton manager has stated his team will play with their own interests and honor in mind, so Manchester City can expect a difficult encounter come Sunday. Guardiola is surely aware of all that is on the line: the title, his reputation as a manager and Manchester City’s overall success this season. That said, the Spaniard will likely field a strong team in order to finish things swiftly.
It aims to be a pleasing match which follows the theme of this week’s European competition. Entertainment intermingled with triumph for one football team and defeat for another; it all culminates on Sunday. Undoubtedly, it will be a day marked in the annals of Premier League history.
Team News
Manchester City: The major concern for City’s trip to the South Coast is Fernandinho’s injury. The Brazilian has been injured for some time now and although he may not be needed for this match as Guardiola may favor more attacking players, it would definitely benefit the Citizens to see the defensive midfielder on the team sheet. He could prove quite useful in the case Guardiola chooses defensive tactics after an early lead.
It’s difficult to imagine anything other than attacking display from the current Premier league champions though and the likes of Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero will be crucial in deciding this match. The aforementioned trio was kept out by a resolute Leicester City in the last outing, and although Brighton have a fairly admirable defensive record, it’s unlikely they will be able to test City as sternly as the Foxes did.
That said the Citizens will likely be afforded a few more chances in front of goal this time, but their finishing has to be flawless if they are to leave the Amex with the title. The chances City will be tested defensively by the Seagulls is quite low; therefore, it is crucial that Guardiola’s forwards remember to pack their shooting boots on their trip to the Amex.
Brighton: Jose Izquierdo is once again injured for the upcoming match, leaving Chris Hughton with fewer options up front. However, the more important injury will be that of Davy Propper who has been a key part of Brighton’s midfield this season. Still, Beram Kayal has impressed in recent matches with Propper’s absence, and Brighton’s other wingers, especially Solly March, have made Izquierdo’s absence seem rather unimportant.
Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy and Mat Ryan are what stand between City and their coveted league title. Unfortunately for City, the trio has been in tremendous form this campaign and they’ve managed some impressive displays against the likes of Wolves and Spurs in recent matches. In this encounter, it may be better for the Citizens to attack from the wings as attacking from the center may prove fruitless thanks to Brighton’s key men in the backline.
Predicted Starting XIs
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko; Gundogan, Fernandinho, Silva; Bernardo Silva, Aguero, Sterling
Brighton (4-5-1): Mat Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Knockaert, Groß, Stephens, Bissouma, Solly March; Murray
Score Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Manchester City 2
City are expected to win but getting a result at the Amex against an in-form Brighton is no easy task. Although Brighton have not managed to shut out the Citizens in recent seasons, they have managed to frustrate them on multiple occasions. I believe much of match will be a frustration for Guardiola, and I do not see City scoring in the first half, rather I believe they will finally break through closer to the end of the match to win back-to-back titles.
