Premier League Matchweek 21 | Etihad Stadium | Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Manchester City host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night (7:30 PM GMT, 2:30 PM ET) in a fixture that could define their faltering title challenge. City sit second on 42 points but have dropped four points from their last two matches, falling six points behind leaders Arsenal. Brighton occupy 10th place on 28 points and arrive fresh from breaking a six-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Burnley on January 3.
The stakes are enormous for Pep Guardiola’s side. Another dropped result would effectively end their title hopes before the month concludes. Brighton, meanwhile, see an opportunity for revenge after defeating City 2-1 in the reverse fixture in August 2025, and a win would catapult them into the thick of the European qualification race where just three points separate fifth from 10th place.
Brighton’s Etihad Curse
Despite their August triumph, Brighton face a daunting historical record at the Etihad. City have won the last six encounters at home without conceding a draw, part of a broader dominance that shows seven City wins against two Brighton victories in the last 10 overall meetings. City have recorded five wins by two or more goals in that span, including emphatic 3-0 and 4-0 victories. Brighton have lost their last seven consecutive visits to the Etihad, making Wednesday’s task appear monumental.
City’s Momentum Stalls
City’s recent form shows W3-D2-L1 across their last six matches, scoring 2.00 goals per game while conceding 1.00. More concerning is their failure to win either of their last two fixtures, drawing 1-1 with Chelsea and 0-0 with Sunderland. At home specifically, they have won two and drawn one of their last three (2.33 goals for, 1.00 against per game), with that Chelsea draw exposing vulnerabilities. City have lost just one of their last 10 home league matches, but their attacking fluency has noticeably diminished.
Brighton’s Timely Recovery
Brighton endured a difficult period with W1-D2-L3 in their last six matches (1.17 goals for, 1.50 against per game), including a worrying six-match winless streak. Their away form has been particularly poor, with losses and one draw in their last three road trips (0.67 goals for, 1.67 against per game). However, the 2-0 home victory over Burnley provides crucial momentum and confidence heading into this daunting assignment.
Tactical Battleground
City dominate possession (63 percent) and average 17.8 shots per game, though Guardiola will prioritize defensive stability given his personnel crisis. Expect Rodri to sit exceptionally deep to shield the makeshift backline. Brighton operate with ambitious possession-based football (56 percent, 13.5 shots per game) under Fabian Hürzeler, looking to bait City’s press and play through the lines to Georginio Rutter and Joao Pedro. The key battle will be Erling Haaland against Lewis Dunk, with City’s striker chasing his 150th club goal after hitting the woodwork against Chelsea.
Unprecedented Defensive Crisis
City face a catastrophic injury situation at center-back. Josko Gvardiol suffered a broken leg and is out for the season, while Ruben Dias (muscle) and John Stones (thigh) are both unavailable. Nathan Aké and Manuel Akanji are the only fit senior center-backs, with Kyle Walker potentially deputizing at center-back. City also lose Rayan Aït-Nouri and Omar Marmoush to AFCON duty, while Oscar Bobb remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Savinho and Mateo Kovačić are doubtful.
Brighton are without Carlos Baleba, their midfield engine, who has departed for AFCON duty with Cameroon. Yasin Ayari or Mats Wieffer will deputize. Long-term absentees Solly March (knee) and Adam Webster remain out, but Kaoru Mitoma returns from illness and could start or feature from the bench.
Probable Lineups
Manchester City (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Aké, Lewis; Rodri; Bernardo Silva, Foden, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupiñan; Hinshelwood, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Numbers to Watch
Six points separating City from Arsenal at the summit. Seven consecutive Brighton defeats at the Etihad Stadium. Four points dropped by City in their last two matches. Three senior center-backs unavailable for City. Six-match winless streak ended by Brighton against Burnley. Average of 3.4 goals per game between these sides historically.
Where to Watch
UK viewers can watch on Sky Sports Main Event. US coverage is on Peacock (2:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM PT). International streams include FuboTV (Canada). Referee Thomas Bramall oversees proceedings in cold, rainy Manchester conditions (3°C).
