New signings Ederson, Walker and Danilo expected to make full debuts
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 5.30pm, Saturday 12th August 2017
Venue: Falmer Stadium, Brighton
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: S Bennett, J Collin Fourth Official: S Atwell
Odds: Brighton 10/1, Draw 9/2, City 1/3. Check out the betting tips for the match here.
Tickets: Sold out
TV: BT Sport
Brighton & Hove Albion
Manager: Chris Hughton
Squad (from): Ryan, Mäenpää, Bruno, Bong, Hunemeier, Dunk, Goldson, Duffy, Rosenior, Suttner, Groß, Stephens, Skalak, Knockaert, Sidwell, March, Murphy, Hemed, Murray
Injured: Baldock, Kayal
Doubtful: March
Suspended: None
Form guide:
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Bravo, Ederson, Muric, Adarabioyo, Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Stones, Walker, De Bruyne, Diaz, Fernandinho, Foden, Sane, B Silva, D Silva, Sterling, Toure, Aguero, Jesus
Injured: Gundogan, Mendy
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide:
Pep Guardiola is without new signing Benjamin Mendy and long-term absentee Ilkay Gundogan for the opening game of the season, although the City manager confirmed that both players are close to a return. Ederson Moraes, Kyle Walker and Danilo are all likely to make their senior debuts for the club, but fellow new signing Bernardo Silva may have to settle for a place on the bench. Guardiola has warned his players that newly promoted Brighton will prove to be difficult opponents at the Amex Stadium.
“My experience of being a manager, always the beginning of the season the new ones are the toughest ones. We spoke and I saw last season how tough is this league.
“The teams that arrive, in the first four, five, six games they are so complicated. But we try to win the game.”
City's last away game at Brighton ended in a 2-2 draw in the League Cup in 2008, with Gelson Fernandes and Stephen Ireland scoring for the Blues (Brighton won the subsequent penalty shoot-out 5-3). Overall City have won 8 of the 17 games played against the Seagulls, with 5 draws and 4 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Stones, Otamendi, Damilo, Fernandinho, D Silva, De Bruyne, Aguero, Jesus
Score prediction: Brighton 0 City 2