Man City Square
Fansided

Manchester City-Brighton Preview: Back to the league

By J.C. Gonzalez

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City puts pressure on Tariq Lamptey of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City at American Express Community Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Brighton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City puts pressure on Tariq Lamptey of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City at American Express Community Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Brighton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Manchester City are back in Premier League action as they face Brighton at home.

Manchester City have won six games in a row in all competitions, conceding just two total goals in that span, and have suddenly reemerged as Premier League title favorites. It has been an incredible festive period and start to the new year for Pep Guardiola’s men, despite many absences due to COVID-19 and injury. Guardiola has several more options available to him for this match, including Raheem Sterling, who failed to feature in the FA Cup last weekend.

More from Game preview

With a comfortable run of fixtures up next, this is the beginning of City’s chance to truly assert themselves on the league. The first such game comes against Brighton at home, who currently sit 17th in the Premier League and fully in the relegation battle nearly halfway through the season. These are the matches where City need to capitalize with all three points, but have proven incapable of doing so at certain times this season, as seen with the draw against West Brom just before this winning run.

Perhaps this team has truly turned a corner in recent weeks, but they will need to continue to prove it if they are to climb the table. Nothing less than three points should be the expectation for City here as they look to continue an excellent streak of form.

Manchester City 3-0 Birmingham: Winning run continues. dark. Next

Predicted XI: Ederson (GK), Kyle Walker (RB), John Stones (CB), Rúben Dias (CB), Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB), Rodri (CDM), İlkay Gündoğan (CDM), Kevin De Bruyne (CAM), Raheem Sterling (RW), Gabriel Jesus (ST), Phil Foden (LW)