Sam Lee

Man City Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Brighton

Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon

After sweeping past Oxford United 3-0 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, it is back to Premier League business for Manchester City at the weekend.

Having dropped only two points this season, they could expect to be at the summit of the standings but find themselves playing catch up to Liverpool.

With the Reds facing Chelsea later in the day, though, Pep Guardiola's men can regain their habitual place in first at least temporarily by beating Brighton.

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MAN CITY INJURIES

Benjamin Mendy remains doubtful for Manchester City's clash with Brighton on Saturday.

The left-back is suffering from a bruised metatarsal, and while City claim the injury is not serious there has been no specific timeframe put on his recovery.

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Mendy is a doubt for the game, although there is a hint of mystery surrounding the situation given Pep Guardiola had initially claimed it was his knee that was injured.

Kevin De Bruyne will definitely miss out, however, and is not expected to be back until after the international break at the end of October.

Claudio Bravo will be out until next year with an Achilles injury.

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MAN CITY SUSPENSIONS

Neither side have any suspensions.

MAN CITY POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP

Mendy's injury has seen City go back to a 4-3-3 formation in recent weeks, and that could well be the case again on Saturday if the Frenchman is out.

Fabian Delph is most likely to step in if Mendy does not make it - the England international was rested for the midweek Carabao Cup win at Oxford.

Aymeric Laporte has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season and that run is likely to continue. His partner has often changed but John Stones could get the nod here given City could need his ability to play out from the back against defensive opposition.

Fernandinho could be rested ahead of a big Champions League game on Tuesday, though Guardiola has been reluctant to use Ilkay Gundogan at the back of midfield unless the Brazilian has been injured or suspended. Stones played the role in midweek though it remains to be seen whether he would be trusted to have another go in the league.

Bernardo Silva has looked at his best in the middle of midfield this season, and while 18-year-old Phil Foden did plenty to further his case for first-team action in the Carabao Cup, it would still be a surprise if he starts in the Premier League just yet.

If Mendy misses out then Leroy Sane could start on the left of the attack, as he did at Cardiff last weekend.

Sergio Aguero has had to get used to battling for the central striking role with Gabriel Jesus in recent months but at the moment the Argentine certainly appears to have the edge when Guardiola only picks one striker.

BRIGHTON TEAM NEWS

The biggest concern for Seagulls boss Chris Hughton will be the fitness of Pascal Gross.

Gross sustained an ankle injury against Fulham at the start of September and has been out of action since.

Jose Izquierdo and Dale Stephens are also doubts.

Brighton have won just one game this season and have lost three and drawn two since then.

OPTA MATCH FACTS

Manchester City won both Premier League clashes with Brighton last term, scoring five goals in the process - they have never won three in a row against the Seagulls in the top four tiers of English football.
Brighton have never won an away game against Man City in all competitions, losing six of their eight visits (D2).
Manchester City have won 58 of a possible 63 points from their last 21 Premier League home games (W19 D1 L1).
Brighton have won just two of their last 15 Premier League games, with both of those coming against Manchester United (D5 L8).
Away from home, Brighton are winless in 16 Premier League games (D5 L11), scoring just seven goals in that run.
Since the start of last season, there have been 20 instances of a team scoring 5+ goals in a Premier League match – Manchester City have been responsible for eight of those (40%).
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has been directly involved in 17 goals in his last 10 Premier League games at the Etihad (14 goals, 3 assists).

TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME

Kick off is 15:00 GMT (10:00 ET) but the game will not be shown on TV in the United Kingdom. It will be shown on NBC in the United States, and on various channels around the world.