Man City line-up vs Brighton predicted as Pep Guardiola forced into unwanted defensive reshuffle

Manchester City make the trip to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday aiming to avoid a fourth straight defeat.

Pep Guardiola has never lost four on the bounce in his glittering managerial career while City haven't suffered four successive defeats since 2008. But a Carabao Cup exit at Tottenham, Premier League loss at Bournemouth and Champions League humbling in Lisbon means the Blues travel to the Amex in need of a result heading into the international break.

Despite the recent slump, City will go top for a couple of hours at least with a win at Brighton and they already have a five point advantage on Arsenal in what might be a three way title race with current leaders Liverpool.

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Guardiola remains without Rodri, Oscar Bobb, John Stones and Ruben Dias but Kevin De Bruyne featured off the bench in midweek and Jack Grealish has returned to training. It seems unlikely either will start at Brighton but City are beginning to recover midfield options.

Phil Foden caught the eye in the first half in Portugal and will retain his place with Bernardo Silva and Savinho also likely starters. Ilkay Gundogan could come back in alongside Mateo Kovacic to offer some midfield solidity although that would be a tad harsh on Matheus Nunes who has impressed in his recent run in the team.

Erling Haaland will lead the line up front and Ederson will start in goal in two of City's all but guaranteed picks. Simpson-Pusey acquitted himself well on his senior debut in midweek but Nathan Ake is likely to return alongside Manuel Akanji. Josko Gvardiol and Rico Lewis can complete the back four.

Predicted City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Savinho; Haaland