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With City looking to generate some momentum before their Champions League final against Chelsea last week, Brighton welcome Guardiola’s men for matchday 37 at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Seagulls have already secured top-flight football for next season and aim to finish as high in the table as possible. City, in turn, head down to Sussex as Premier League champions for the third time in five years.
Graham Potter’s side failed to climb up the league table in their last game, throwing away their slender one-goal lead against West Ham at home on Saturday.
Former United forward Danny Welbeck thought he had scored an 84th-minute winner – dinking the ball over an onrushing Lukasz Fabianski. His hopes were shattered by Said Benrahma’s late equaliser 3 minutes later.
Had the Seagulls somehow managed to hold onto their 1-0 lead in a match that can only be described as a cagey encounter, Brighton could’ve easily gilded past Newcastle and Burney to capture the 15th spot in the Premier League table.
The Citizens, meanwhile, entertained their followers with a goal-fest against Newcastle on Friday. In a highly entertaining 4-3 victory, Guardiola rested several of his regular starters and even fielded a 35-year-old Scott Carson, who made his first-ever start for the club in goal.
Barcelona bound Eric Garcia was named in the first XI with Nathan Ake as the makeshift defensive unit was left red-faced three times, particularly during transitions and set-pieces, by Steve Bruce’s men. Emil Krafth headed the Magpies into the lead in the 25th minute, but Joao Cancelo and Ferran Torres equalised and doubled within the next twenty minutes before Ake penalised Joelinton, who levelled up by the end of the first half. Although Joe Willock restored Newcastle’s lead momentarily, Ferran Torres completed his hat-trick and secured all three points at the St. James Park in a brilliant display of character.
Key Players
Seagulls skipper Lewis Dunk has been one of Brighton’s best player in an otherwise gloomy season. Despite their inconsistent performances, Brighton have conceded a modest 42 goals with their captain leading the charge at defence. The Brighton local rarely puts a foot wrong and has also scored five times in 32 league games; an envious tally for any centre-back. With 3.3 clearances and 0.9 tackles per match for the Seagulls in 2020/21, Gareth Southgate has an excellent backup defender at his disposal ahead of England’s European Championship matches.
Danny Welbeck is relishing the last two months of his contract at Brighton. The former Manchester United forward The 30-year-old saved his club from relegation with a magnificent effort in Brighton’s 2-0 win over Leeds and would’ve almost bragged rights for the winner against West Ham last time out. Welbeck has found the net four times in his last eight games and averages 1.5 shots per game with 1.1 key passes. With speculations over his future with the Seagulls surging, Potter should be eager to retain him for another season.
Ferran Torres has been decisive whenever Guardiola has demanded of him. Arriving from Valencia at a mere €25m last summer, the 21-year-old Spaniard has blossomed into an exuberant winger at City this season. The youngster scored 13 goals and created 3 more in 34 overall appearances, and clocks up 1.6 shots per game with an 85% accuracy while passing. At his tender age, it is unlikely that he would fill Aguero’s void next season onwards, but Torres has impressed with his natural knack for goals, and the commitment he has displayed in the last game should be more than enough for Pep Guardiola to nurture him onto a global superstar.
City’s 2020-21 epic campaign has been completely relying on their resolute defence at the back. While the inclusion of Ruben Dias has certainly upturned fortunes for Guardiola’s men, it is Joao Cancelo who stood out week-in week-out over the rest of his defensive teammates. The Portuguese full-back is a solid defender as well as a pacy winger. Therefore his stats of 2.5 tackles with 1.5 interceptions and 1.7 coupled with 1.8 key passes each time he graces the pitch undoubtedly marks his versatility. Also, his superb ability to read the game and arrive at the right place at the right time has turned into one of the best left-backs in the world.
Prediction
The Seagulls continue their struggle to leapfrog the table, and having finished 15th twice and 17th once in their three full seasons in the Premier League, Potter and his men need nothing but two shock wins over midweek and Arsenal next Sunday to secure their record-high finish in England’s top flight.
The visitors, though, marked their 12th consecutive away win in the Premier League with their victory against Newcastle on Saturday, and Pep Guardiola’s men have tormented their opponents while on the road throughout this season with 14 wins out of their 18 games. So a similar result is expected when they arrive at the American Express Stadium as clear favourites on Tuesday.
