Brighton beat Manchester City 2-1 in Sussex ten months ago, so are seeking to win back-to-back home games against the Citizens for the very first time. Despite this, the Sky Blues have won five of eight Premier League visits to the Amex, scoring four or more on four occasions.
Brighton vs Manchester City preview
After both suffered disappointing defeats last weekend, who will get back on track? When Manchester City demolished Wolves 4-0 on the opening weekend, many were declaring Pep Guardiola's team to be amongst the bona fide title contenders. A week later however, not so much.
Last Saturday, Man City were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham at the Etihad, both goals coming in the first half, with new goalkeeper James Trafford rather gifting Spurs their second. At the other end of the pitch meantime, the Citizens created just two Opta-defined big chances, mustering only four shots on target, very much stifled by Tottenham. So, can Man City get back on track in Sussex?
As for Brighton & Hove Albion, they're yet to really get going this season, actually kicking off in the relegation zone. First, the Seagulls were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham, conceding a 96th minute equaliser; very much sucker punched. Then, Brighton became the first-ever visitors to Hill Dickinson Stadium last Sunday, and were very welcome guests, beaten 2-0 by Everton, with Danny Welbeck's extremely tame late penalty, saved by Jordan Pickford, very much summing up their afternoon.
Well, on Wednesday night, Fabian Hürzeler's team did at least claim their first win of the season, emphatically demolishing Oxford United 6-0 at the Kassam. Stefanos Tzimas bagged a late brace, fellow summer signings Olivier Boscagli and Tommy Watson were also on target, while Brajan Gruda and Diego Gómez got in on the act too. Safe to say, this will be an exponentially tougher challenge, but can Brighton expose Man City's weaknesses come Sunday afternoon?
Brighton vs Manchester City head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 34.
- Brighton Wins: 7. Draws: 6. Manchester City Wins: 21.
Brighton team news
Fabian Hürzeler made a full compliment of 11 changes against Oxford United, so did any of those players do enough to force their way into the first-choice lineup?
Mats Wieffer has started both Premier League matches at right-back to date, so will he continue to get the nod over compatriot Joël Veltman? Meantime, with Georginio Rutter sidelined, Danny Welbeck led the line at Everton, but could Stefanos Tzimas' EFL Cup brace earn him a start?
Brighton & Hove Albion predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, van Hecke, De Cuyper; Ayari, Baleba, O'Riley; Minteh, Mitoma, Welbeck.
Brighton player to watch vs Manchester City
Matt O'Riley scored his first-ever Premier League goal during the win over Man City last November. He is the only Brighton player to score in the league so far this season, so could he be the hero again?
Manchester City team news
Despite his error against Spurs, James Trafford will once again be donning the gloves, chosen over Ederson and Stefan Ortega Moreno. Out-field, Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić and Savinho are all sidelined, while Rodri was only fit enough to feature for 15 minutes against Tottenham.
So, new signing Tijjani Reijnders, who was excellent during his Premier League debut at Molineux, is likely to be partnered by Nico González at the base of midfield once again, while Pep Guardiola has an array of options further forward. Omar Marmoush came into the team last weekend, while Bernardo Silva, Jérémy Doku and Phil Foden all came off the bench, who aren't bad options to have are they?
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Brighton & Hove Albion: (4-3-3): Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Rúben Dias, Aït-Nouri; Nico, Reijnders, Cherki, Marmoush, Doku; Håland.
Manchester City player to watch vs Brighton
Erling Braut Håland has scored five goals in five career appearances against Brighton, on target during both encounters last season, so will he continue the sequence in Sussex?
Brighton vs Manchester City prediction
We're being bold here and backing Brighton for victory. The Seagulls are more than capable of causing Man City problems, so we're forecasting a shock home win: Brighton 2-1 Manchester City.
Brighton vs Manchester City FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Brighton vs Manchester City in the Premier League on TV channel?
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City in the Premier League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event & Ultra HD.
- USA: fuboTV, NBC, Telemundo & Deportes En Vivo
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch Brighton vs Manchester City in the Premier League on live streaming?
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City in the Premier League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, USA Network & Telemundo
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Brighton vs Manchester City in the Premier League?
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City takes place on Sunday 31 August 2025, with kick off at 14:00 (BST), 9:00 (EDT) & 6:00 (PDT).