Brighton & Hove Albion look to secure Europa League qualification against Manchester City at the AMEX Stadium.
At least one point would see Brighton secure Europa League qualification, whilst champions – Man City can surpass the 90 point mark with a win.
Team News
Adam Webster could return for Brighton after recovering from a muscle injury, which has kept him out for their last three matches.
Robert Sanchez (personal), Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder (both knee), Jeremy Sarmiento (foot), Solly March and Adam Lallana (both hamstring) remain absent.
Man City have no fresh injury concerns to report as Nathan Ake (hamstring) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Brighton host Man City at the AMEX Stadium in a 8:00pm BST kick-off on Wednesday 24 May, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brighton have won just one of 11 previous Premier League meetings against Man City (W1, L10).
- Man City have won four of their five Premier League visits to Brighton (W4, L1).
- Brighton are yet to keep a single clean sheet against Man City in their 11 previous Premier League clashes.
- Four of Evan Ferguson’s six league goals for Brighton this season were scored on his right foot.
- None of Kevin De Bruyne’s seven league goals for Man City this season came from a header.
Prediction
Although European football next season is guaranteed for Brighton, I do expect them to take this game seriously because one point would guarantee Europa League qualifcation – which in-turn opens a route to Champions League football if they take the Europa League seriously.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls also will be boosted by how they confidently dominated Southampton last weekend, although their end product can’t be as wasteful as it was in the first-half given that Man City will pose tougher opposition.
Man City meanwhile are focused upon their upcoming FA Cup and Champions League Finals, so it will be interesting to see how Pep Guardiola approaches this in terms of selection after a clinical if very wasteful win against Chelsea but otherwise there is little other than pride to play for here.
I nevertheless do expect City to try and keep their winning momentum going but Brighton’s home crowd will be up for this, especially in order to avoid any last-day nerves over which European league they will end up in despite holding a huge goal difference advantage over Aston Villa.
If Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne start then I can see a City win otherwise Brighton might just spring a surprise or snatch that vital point.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Manchester City
Result: Brighton 1-1 Manchester City
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