Manchester City will entertain Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium hoping to earn a victory at home in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. The Mancunian giants managed to earn a dominant 3-0 win over Birmingham City in the third round of the FA Cup last weekend which will add to their momentum going into this midweek clash.
Pep Guardiola will probably opt for a 4-3-3 formation and is expected to name his strongest XI for this game. Kevin De Bruyne can expect to play as a forward up top with Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden supporting him from the flanks.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup To Face Brighton
Defence
Ederson will operate in between the sticks for Man City after being rested in the FA Cup win over Birmingham last Sunday. Ruben Dias will resume his defensive partnership with John Stones at the heart of Guardiola’s defence as they focus on securing another clean sheet in the Premier League.
Kyle Walker will be a nailed-on starter at right-back while Joao Cancelo gets shifted to the other side to assume the duties of the left-back. Both of them will have to make themselves useful in the final third so that the front players have enough chances to win this contest.
Midfield
Guardiola’s midfield will be comprised of Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri and Bernardo Silva as the gifted trio look to dominate possession in the hopes of engineering some clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities in the attacking third of the field.
Silva scored a brace last weekend, which will give him a big boost in confidence ahead of this midweek clash at Manchester. Fernandinho will have to settle for a spot on the bench but might come on to make an impact in the second 45 minutes if required.
Attack
Phil Foden could get the nod to operate on the left flank following his goal-scoring display versus Birmingham. Raheem Sterling will feature on the other side as the right-winger as he tries to get in behind the Brighton defence with his quick dashes from the wide areas.
Kevin De Bruyne will probably operate as a makeshift forward once again after performing so well in that position against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.
