Manchester City must beat Brighton to head into the international break with some momentum | OneFootball

Following on from their 1-nil defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend Manchester City take on Brighton on Saturday at the Etihad. The match is a crucial Premier League fixture for both teams as they both chase Champions League football for next season. From a City point of view, they simply must beat Brighton. The match is crucial to City’s chase for Champions League football and doe them to build momentum as they head into the upcoming international break.

Last weekend’s defeat to Nottingham Forest was a costly one for Pep Guardiola’s side. They squandered the opportunity to climb up to third in the Premier League table. Now they are stuck in a race for a top-four or five finish with Chelsea, Newcastle, Brighton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth. Although the consensus is that City have an easier schedule coming up after their slog through February and March no game is a formality for Pep Guardiola’s side. Not when you consider the fact that City have lost 15 of their last 30 matches in all competitions. That tells you all you need to know about Manchester City’s current predicament.

If Manchester City can beat Brighton it may set them up for the final push in a disappointing season.

But a win on Saturday against Brighton at the Etihad could help City build momentum for the final stages of the 24/25 season. It is a big game for both teams. City and Brighton are both chasing Champions League football for next season. A win for either team could prove to be crucial in that chase. From Manchester City’s point of view, if they can pick up three points, they will carry some positive momentum into the upcoming international break. That could be crucial for them in a season where momentum has been fleeting for Pep Guardiola’s side.

But beating Brighton will be no easy task for Manchester City. The Seagulls are flying and are a team built to get at Manchester City’s well-known frailties. It’s simply a challenge that Pep Guardiola’s side must overcome. If they don’t you do feel that it will make their chase to secure Champions League football for next season a tough battle. But if they win it could set them up for what lies ahead. That’s what is at stake on Saturday for Manchester City and the assumption that City will come good eventually won’t help them pick up three points against a tricky opponent.