Five things to look out for – Brighton and Hove Albion vs Manchester City

(Observe to readers- this text was written earlier than the disappointing 2-1 loss to Brighton, however due to my work I wasn’t capable of publish it in time. Sorry!)

Manchester Metropolis journey to the south coast to face Brighton and Hove Albion within the Premier League.

The Blues are coming off the again of a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur final week, and have reportedly since misplaced Rayan Cherki to harm.

However they’ll be boosted by fellow new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri’s harm being nothing greater than a scare, and their opponent’s winless begin to the league season.

Listed below are 5 issues to look out for towards Fabian Hurzeler’s facet:

Reijnders Beginning because the ten

With rumours circling about Cherki’s harm and the efficiency of the Dutchman in Metropolis’s opening league recreation, I anticipate Tijjani Reijnders to start out towards the Seagulls.

The 27-year-old excelled with a aim and help towards Wolves however like a lot of his teammates, was a lot poorer towards Spurs.

I anticipate Bernardo Silva to return to the facet to permit Reijnders a bit extra freedom, and in addition seeing because it appears Phil Foden could be injured too (he hasn’t been referred to as up for England responsibility or been pictured in coaching this week.)

Metropolis’s quantity 4 has the qualities to thrive in what is going to most likely be an open recreation, and if he performs in addition to he did at Molineux he’ll be the distinction between the 2 sides.

Trafford remaining in aim

For the third week in a row, we’re left with the conundrum as to who to start out between the sticks.

Towards Wolves, Pep Guardiola opted for James Trafford as his primary, and it paid off. The Englishman saved a cleansheet and had an general strong efficiency.

However towards Spurs, he made an error taking part in out from the again resulting in Joao Palhinha’s aim, and query marks come up as as to if we’ll see him or Ederson in web.

However I feel Guardiola will follow Trafford. Ederson’s future may be very a lot nonetheless up within the air, with Fenerbahce becoming a member of Galatasaray of their curiosity for the Brazilian goalkeeper.

Additionally, Trafford will solely enhance his ball taking part in expertise with extra minutes, and till Metropolis probably exchange Ederson with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Trafford has the securest future on the membership and may undoubtedly be prioritised over a participant who’s brazenly exploring a transfer away.

Battle of taking part in out from the again

However the argument for taking part in Ederson in fact comes together with his world class ball taking part in capacity.

Brighton beneath Fabian Hurzeler (and beforehand beneath Roberto de Zerbi and Graham Potter) press excessive out of possession and look to construct up from the again, similar to Metropolis beneath Guardiola.

Goalkeepers are inspired to play it quick, however each Ederson and Bart Vebruggen recorded assists final season (Ederson received 4) by taking part in correct lengthy balls excessive of a excessive press.

I think each side will strive their greatest to play by means of the aggressive excessive press of the opposite facet, and it’ll be fascinating to see the conflict of kinds.

Erling Haaland was poor towards Spurs (although who wasn’t?) however was exceptionally sharp in entrance of aim towards Wolves, bagging twice.

He all the time tends to start out the season effectively and has a wonderful aim scoring file towards Brighton, scoring two objectives towards them final season despite the fact that Metropolis solely picked up one level from these two matches.

I anticipate the massive Norwegian striker to attain once more, and in the end assist Metropolis to a victory.

A recreation at an essential time

Talking of which, I feel Metropolis will win towards the Seagulls, and it’s a essential recreation for them.

After the worldwide break, the Blues have a treacherous run of fixtures; Manchester United within the derby, Kevin de Bruyne’s Napoli within the UEFA Champions League and Arsenal on the Emirates Stadium – all within the house of every week.

If Metropolis fail to beat Brighton and are available out of that spell with out a win both, they’ll be taking part in catch up earlier than the season has correctly gotten into gear, which might severely weaken their probabilities of regaining the Premier League title.

It’s essential that Metropolis go into the worldwide break excessive on confidence forward of the upcoming fixtures; it’s maybe a bit early to make such a declare, but it surely could possibly be season-defining.