After missing Manchester City's comeback victory against Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, Oct. 28, star striker Erling Haaland is back in the lineup against the same opponents.
Haaland was named in the starting lineup for the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Manager Enzo Maresca decided that the Norwegian and four teammates – Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Gianluigi Donnarumma – were allowed to miss Wednesday's cup match against the Seagulls.
"After the Villa game, we gave five players three days off," Maresca said during a press conference. "Erling, Ruben, Elliot, Gigi and Josko. They are all on holiday. Three days off, energy, go, come back full of energy and then go again."
Maresca, who
is in his first year as City manager, has made it clear that he wants to give Haaland some rest this season amidst the striker's scorching-hot form.
“At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off,” the Italian manager said earlier this month.
In the campaign, Haaland has scored 13 goals in 11 matches across all competitions.
Finding the back of the net nine times in eight matches in the Premier League, the 26-year-old has scored in seven consecutive league matches.
Despite suffering its first league defeat in its last match against Aston Villa, City still enters the weekend in first place, holding an advantage on goal difference over defending champion Arsenal.
Man City lineup vs. Brighton today
Your team to take on Brighton! 💪🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 31, 2026
XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Bouaddi, Anderson, Fernández, Ndiaye, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Rulli, Guéhi, Kovačić, Cherki, Reis, O'Reilly, Allan, Foden, Lewis
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/mahJN7BVO1
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man City lineup vs. Brighton today: Erling Haaland returns after midweek rest
