LIVE on talkSPORT
Premier League champions Manchester City will look to keep the title race in their hands when they travel to face Brighton tonight.
City have the edge over Arsenal and Liverpool but they are four points adrift of the Gunners at the top due to their fixture schedule.
4
Pep Guardiola's side haven't been in Premier League action for over a week due to their FA Cup semi-final commitments at Wembley.
In their absence, both Arsenal and Liverpool moved above them in the table to put City down in third.
A victory against the Seagulls won't automatically return them to the top again - but they will still have a game in hand.
Brighton vs Man City: Flying Foden
Phil Foden is approaching a historic goalscoring landmark during the best individual season of his career.
Read more on football
The 23-year-old has played for City his whole career, going from fan to academy product to making history as a treble winner.
However, Kevin De Bruyne's serious injury at the start of the current campaign has allowed him to blossom into the team's superstar.
Oasis legend Noel Gallagher has already told talkSPORT that Foden will soon be named as Guardiola's greatest legacy at City.
The England international is approaching his 50th goal in the Premier League ahead of a reunion with his favoured opponents Brighton.
Most read in Football
Against no side has Foden scored more Premier League goals than he has against Brighton.
He has netted six in his last seven such appearances against the Seagulls, although he did suffer a rare blank in front of goal during the 2-1 win in October's reverse fixture.
4
- Seven of Kevin De Bruyne’s nine Premier League goal involvements for Man City this season have come in his six away appearances (all 3 goals, plus 4 assists). He’s averaging a goal or assist every 43 minutes on the road in the league this term.
- Brighton’s 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in their last Premier League home game ended a 12-game unbeaten run for the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium in the league (W6 D6). They last lost consecutive home league games in November/December 2022 (including defeat to Arsenal), while they last lost consecutive home league games in the same month in March 2022.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games (W13 D4), last having a longer run within the same season between November and March in 2020-21 (19).
Brighton vs Man City: Team news
The home side are beset with injury issues, headlined by long-term absentees Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, and Jack Hinshelwood.
Brighton are also set to be without James Milner, Adam Webster, and Tariq Lamptey with late tests to be made on Julio Enciso, Evan Ferguson, and Billy Gilmour.
City have been boosted by the return of John Stones to training on Tuesday, but both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden missed out.
Haaland has now been ruled out of this game by Guardiola but Foden will be fit to play.
4
- Since beating Sheffield United 5-0 in February, Brighton have scored just four goals in their last seven Premier League games. The Seagulls are also winless in each of their last four (D2 L2).
- Manchester City have won 17 of their 19 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games over the last three seasons, with the exceptions being a 1-1 draw at Brighton (May 2023) and a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa (December 2023).
- Brighton have failed to score in all three of their midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games so far in 2024, drawing 0-0 with both West Ham and Brentford and losing 4-0 to Luton.
Brighton vs Man City: What has been said?
talkSPORT's Simon Jordan has told Guardiola to 'shut up' after the City coach ranted about fixture scheduling.
Reacting to the City manager, the former Crystal Palace owner said: "Let's have it right. The reason why you have one of the most expensively assembled squads, the reason why football people are paid ridiculous amounts is because of broadcast revenue.
"So you can't take all of the upside and none of the downside. I watched his interview after the game with Gary Lineker, who was lost for words, which I always think is a bonus.
"But he came out with this ridiculous martyr syndrome. If City had beaten Real Madrid, you probably wouldn't have heard the same outlook from him.
"You are in the business of sport, your achievements have taken you to the higher echelons of games and the fixture schedule is a result of it.
"You have a squad with it, you have the players capable of dealing with it, shut up now. For me, it is beyond the pale of acceptance."
4
- Both times Manchester City have failed to beat Brighton in the Premier League have come in a midweek game at the Amex Stadium – they lost 3-2 in May 2021 (Tuesday) and drew 1-1 in May 2023 (Wednesday), though had already been confirmed as champions both times.
- Man City have scored in all 13 of their Premier League games against Brighton – they’ve only faced Bournemouth (14) more often in the competition while scoring in every game.
- Brighton have lost 11 of their 13 Premier League games against Manchester City (W1 D1), though each of their four points earned against the Citizens in the competition have come across their last three home games against them (W1 D1 L1).
Brighton vs Man City: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Thursday, April 25.
Kick-off at the Amex is scheduled for 8pm.
talkSPORT will have live and exclusive coverage from the South Coast, presented by Hugh Woozencroft.
Commentary comes from Sam Matterface and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.
Brighton vs Man City: Betting with talkSPORT BET
Match Odds:
Brighton - 6/1
Draw - 18/5
Read More on talkSPORT
Man City - 2/5
*odds subject to change
See more Premier League odds here
New Customer? Sign up to talkSPORT BET and get £10 in free bets when you bet £10 - CLAIM HERE
T&Cs: 18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ on any sport at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get £10 Free Bets on any sports market. Free bets expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly