Overview
Manchester City are not allowed to stumble when hosting Brighton, in the context that they have been extended the gap by Arsenal to 6 points in the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola's team seemed to pocket all 3 points against Chelsea - similar to how Arsenal defeated Bournemouth - but Enzo Fernandez launched a "punch" in injury time of the second half, pulling City back to the ground.
Previously, Tijjani Reijnders put Man City ahead at Etihad. However, the home team could not finish the match, and this is the second time in this Premier League season they have gone 2 consecutive matches without a win.
The 0-0 draw at Sunderland's home ground began the suspension streak, before The Citizens were late scored by Chelsea. However, Guardiola in his coaching career has only been in a 3-match draw streak in the Premier League twice - in April 2017 and December 2023.
The hope of narrowing the gap is still there, especially when Arsenal will host defending champion Liverpool at home one day later. And Guardiola is no stranger to chasing Mikel Arteta's team in the long-distance race.
The key factor for all scenarios to change direction probably lies in Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker has been out of goal for 3 consecutive Premier League matches, but it is noteworthy that he has never gone through 4 consecutive starts without scoring in the highest league.
And Brighton could be a "good bait" for Haaland to regain his feelings. He has scored in all four recent Premier League appearances against them, although Man City has not won in the last 3 encounters (1 draw, 2 losses).
In Premier League history, only 2 players scored in 4 consecutive matches against the same opponent without winning: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink against Manchester United (3 draws, 1 loss, period 1998-2001) and Charlie Austin against Arsenal (1 draw, 3 losses, 2014-2018).
Brighton's defense system can also bring an ideal opportunity for Haaland to end the unusual silence. The "Seagull" has conceded at least 2 goals in each of their last three away games in the Premier League. The last time they had a longer away streak of conceding 2 goals or more was from August to November 2022 (5 matches).
The schedule is also supporting Man City. They have won 31/33 recent Premier League matches taking place on Wednesday (1 draw, 1 loss). In particular, Guardiola's team has won 22 consecutive home matches on Wednesday.
In the opposite direction, Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton traveled north after a 2-0 victory over Burnley, thereby ending a 6-match unbeaten streak. Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari were the scorers in the relatively easy match at Amex.
Danny Welbeck was on the bench in the most recent match, after scoring from a penalty and also missing a similar opportunity in the 2-2 draw with West Ham away from home. That goal raised his total number of goals to 7 in the last 13 away matches in the Premier League.
However, the former Man United striker had a jinx at Etihad. He did not score in 9 Premier League matches here and only had one shot on target. This goalless streak was the longest period in Welbeck's top career that he could not score at a specific stadium.
Welbeck's experience can be a fulcrum if Brighton wants to win points, and his sharpness will also effectively combine with James Milner. This midfielder has just turned 40 and if he plays, he will become the fifth outside goalkeeper to play in the Premier League when over 40 years old, after Gordon Strachan (6 matches), Teddy Sheringham (24), Kevin Phillips (4) and Ryan Giggs (6).
Head-to-head record
Man City has never lost in 15 receptions of Brighton in the Premier League (12 wins, 3 draws). This is both the record for the most home matches City has faced an opponent without losing, and also the record for the most away matches Brighton has played without ever winning.
Not only that, Guardiola's team also scored in all 17 matches against Brighton in the Premier League.
Score prediction: Man City 3-1 Brighton
The match between Man City and Brighton takes place at 2:30 AM on January 8 (Vietnam time).
