AliousManchester City are set to host Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday in a crucial battle for a top-four finish. With the race for Champions League qualification heating up, every point is vital.
City’s most recent Premier League outing ended in disappointment, as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. The loss added to an already frustrating 2024/25 campaign, leaving City in 5th place with just a five-point cushion over 10th-placed Fulham. Brighton, meanwhile, sit in 7th, only a single point behind Guardiola’s side. Newcastle United, positioned 6th, will be occupied with the Carabao Cup final against league leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
A win for City could see them overtake Chelsea, who are currently in 4th and two points ahead, but Guardiola’s men will be wary—Brighton already defeated them at the AMEX earlier this season and enter this fixture in excellent form.
### Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler Shares Thoughts on Guardiola Ahead of City Clash
The Seagulls come into the match on a six-game winning streak across all competitions. Their recent victories include back-to-back wins over Chelsea, a dominant 4-0 triumph against Southampton, and a 2-1 win over Fulham in their last league fixture. In contrast, City have struggled, suffering three defeats in their last five games, including losses to Liverpool and Forest, while also being eliminated from the Champions League.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler was asked if he keeps track of his record against Guardiola—currently one win from one encounter. The German coach downplayed the significance, responding, “Honestly, not.”
Hürzeler did, however, acknowledge Guardiola’s status in the game, suggesting that despite City’s recent struggles, the Spaniard remains “maybe the best manager in the world.” He added, “For me, the most important thing is the club’s success. It’s not about me against, maybe, the best manager in the world; it’s about Brighton against City.”
### Comparing City and Brighton’s 2025 Records
Despite playing four more matches than Brighton due to their involvement in multiple competitions, City and the Seagulls have both recorded nine wins since the start of 2025.
However, Brighton have been significantly stronger defensively, conceding just 13 goals in this period—despite a heavy 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest—whereas City have leaked 25. On the other hand, City have been far more prolific in attack, outscoring Brighton by 17 goals this year.
With Brighton’s solid form and City’s desperation for points, Saturday’s clash promises to be a fascinating encounter with major implications for the top-four battle.
Alious
