Football
Manchester City vs Brighton and Hove Albion Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: 15 March 2025 Kick-off (UK Time): 15:00 Venue: Etihad Stadium Manchester City welcome Brighton to the Etihad Stadium for Premier League action on Saturday, 15 March 2025. The Citizens have had a poor season by their standards to date while the visitors have been excellent this campaign. This clash has all the makings of a classic game. Check out our full preview below for some of the best football betting tips in the game!
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Erling Haaland of Manchester City//Getty Images
The champions host Brighton in what promises to be an enthralling encounter on Saturday afternoon. Pep Guardiola’s side are a shadow of themselves and sit outside the top four while Fabian Hurzeler’s side are just a point behind the home side.
The visitors have the opportunity to complete a league double over City after they triumphed 2-1 in the reverse fixture. Erling Haaland gave Guardiola’s side an early lead, only for Matt O’ Riley and Joao Pedro to turn things around for the Seagulls late on and snatch victory.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Home: 11/5 (3.20) – 44.4%
Draw: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
Away: 5/4 (2.25) – 26.2%
Odds courtesy of Betway subject to change.
Head-to-Head Record
09/11/24 – Brighton 2-1 Man City
25/04/24 – Brighton 0-4 Man City
21/10/23 – Man City 2-1 Brighton
24/05/23 – Brighton 1-1 Man City
22/10/22 – Man City 3-1 Brighton
Manchester City Current Form - LWLWL
The champions are suffering without Rodri and the lack of steel in the midfield. The inconsistency is showing in their previous five games. They have just two wins and three defeats in that period which has left them just outside the Champions League places.
Erling Haaland//Getty Images
Key Players to watch
- Erling Haaland: Haaland is having a poor season by his standards and he is still on 20 league goals! The Norwegian is a key cog in the City attack.
- Josko Gvardiol: The Croat is one of the best left-back’s in the league and is very technically gifted for a defender. Gvardiol has five goals to his name from 27 Premier League appearances this season.
- Nico Gonzalez: The former Barcelona midfielder has slotted in like a glove at the Etihad. He rarely gives the ball away and is a reliable focal point for the City midfield.
Manchester City Team News
Rodri is currently sidelined with a knee injury. Oscar Bobb has a knock. Manuel Akanji is dealing with an abductor injury. John Stones has a thigh problem while Nathan Ake is out with a foot injury, adding to their defensive woes.
Brighton and Hove Albion Current Form – LWWWW
The Seagulls are one of the most in-form teams in the league over their previous five games. They have lost just once and won four on the trot since. It is form that has seen them close the gap on the teams above them and has put them well in the race for a European place.
Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion//Getty Images
Key Players to watch
- Danny Welbeck: Welbeck is ageing like fine wine. The experienced 34-year-old has led the line brilliantly for his club and registered seven goals and four assists in 21 Premier League appearances this season.
- Carlos Baleba: The Cameroonian has been a solid performer for Brighton in the middle of the park. Aged just 21, Baleba will only get better. He has three goal contributions from defensive midfield.
- Kaoru Mitoma: The 27-year-old dribbling wizard is a nightmare for fullback’s in the Premier League to deal with. The Japanese has ten goal contributions for Albion this campaign.
Brighton and Hove Albion Team News
Igor Julio is nursing a hamstring injury. Ferdi Kadioglu has a toe injury. Veteran James Milner has a hamstring issue and goalkeeper Jason Steele is also out with a shoulder injury. Lewis Dunk has suffered a knock. Meanwhile, Joel Veltman is also out for the trip to face City.
Predicted Line-Ups
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Gonzalez, Savio, Silva, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Brighton (4-3-3): Verbruggen, Webster, van Hecke, Lamptey, Estupinan, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma, Welbeck
Suggested Bets
Below in our suggested bets are some of the most reputable bookmakers to place your Premier League bets with.
Both Teams to Score: There is firepower in both these squads and the reverse fixture saw both teams find the net as well. (24/25 with Stake)
Draw: With both teams fighting it out for a Champions League place, they could cancel each other out here. (9/4 with Betway)
Value Bets
Are you keen on football betting? Check out these value bets to make the most out of your returns!
Totals and Both Teams to Score (Over 2.5 and Yes): Expect goals in the tie with the amount of attacking talent on display in both sides. (9/4 with Stake)
Anytime Goal Scorer (Erling Haaland): Back the Norwegian to add to his tally of 20 Premier League goals against Albion. (7/2 with Stake)
Prediction: Draw
Brighton got the better of City last time out at the Amex and with the home team’s troubles this season, expect Hurzeler’s side to come away with a point from the Etihad on Saturday afternoon. For those considering a wager on this intriguing clash, exploring a welcome bonus could add extra value to your bet.
With a decade of sports writing expertise, Nigel Naicker has crafted compelling content across football leagues like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, as well as cricket and UFC. A passionate storyteller since 2014, Nigel joins the SportsBoom team, ready to deliver insightful narratives across various sports disciplines.
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