Manchester City face Brighton at the Etihad Stadium with key players missing, yet Pep Guardiola insists the squad mentality is strong as the Premier League champions attempt to reduce the gap to leaders
Arsenal while handling injuries, absences for the Africa Cup of Nations and the recent returns of several important figures from longer-term fitness problems.
City’s problems increased during the draw with Chelsea, when Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol could not complete the full match. The club confirmed on Monday that Gvardiol requires surgery on a fractured tibia, ruling the defender out for longer than first expected and forcing Guardiola to plan without a significant part of the defensive rotation.
Guardiola outlined the immediate outlook for his injured defenders, confirming one medium-term setback and another that will keep a key signing out for a lengthy spell. "[Ruben has injured his] hamstring [and will be out for] between four and six weeks. [Josko] is out for a long time," said Guardiola, underlining the scale of the defensive issues.
The manager also stressed that other members of the squad remain unavailable or are just returning. "[Stones is not] ready for the next games. Of course, he's an important player for us for a long time and he was injured for a long time last season; this season looks the same. Omar [Marmoush] and Rayan [Ait-Nouri] are at AFCON, and we have injuries to John and Oscar Bobb, while Jeremy [Doku] and Rodri have come back from long injuries. That is the situation. Of course [we can cope]. With the spirit we have. "
Managers Preview: Brighton (H) @premierleague @PepTeam Watch: https://t.co/jgFprAcpXz pic.twitter.com/nPKzQhD7f2Manchester City (@ManCity) January 6, 2026
History at the Etihad favours City. They are unbeaten in 15 home league meetings with Brighton, winning 12 and drawing three. That sequence is both City’s longest undefeated home run against any club and also Brighton’s longest sequence of away league fixtures versus one opponent without recording a victory of any kind.
City have found the net in all 17 of their Premier League fixtures against Brighton. That 100 per cent scoring record equals their best such mark against a single opponent, matching their run against Bournemouth. Brighton, however, approach this match encouraged after avoiding defeat in the last three league clashes with City, winning two and drawing one.
City’s record when playing league football on Wednesdays is also notable. They have won 31 of their last 33 Premier League fixtures on that day, drawing once and losing once. At home, City have claimed victory in their most recent 22 Wednesday league games, the longest such home winning streak on one weekday in Premier League history.
Manchester City vs Brighton key players and milestones
Erling Haaland has an impressive scoring record against Brighton, with goals in each of the last four Premier League meetings, although City have not won any of the three most recent league games in that sequence, drawing once and losing twice, which underlines how Brighton have turned those fixtures into more balanced contests.
Only two players have previously scored in four straight Premier League matches against a single opponent without finishing on the winning side during that run. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink achieved this against Manchester United between 1998 and 2001, with three draws and one defeat, while Charlie Austin managed the same against Arsenal from 2014 to 2018, with one draw and three losses.
Danny Welbeck offers Brighton threat away from home, with seven goals across the last 13 Premier League away appearances. Welbeck has yet to score in nine league outings at the Etihad Stadium, though, which is the highest number of appearances Welbeck has made at any single top-flight venue without a goal, registering only one shot on target in those matches.
Brighton’s defence faces a demanding task. The team have conceded exactly two goals in each of the last three away league fixtures. The previous instance of Brighton allowing at least two goals in more than three consecutive away Premier League games came between August and November 2022, when the run extended to five matches.
Brighton’s trip could also mark a landmark appearance for James Milner. If selected, Milner will become only the fifth outfield player to play in the Premier League aged 40 or older, joining Gordon Strachan, Teddy Sheringham, Kevin Phillips and Ryan Giggs. The four players registered six, 24, four and six appearances respectively after turning 40.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler praised Milner’s standards and influence in detail. "If you see him working, you get an understanding of how its possible," said Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on Milner. "But still, it's incredible what he's capable of doing for his age. He's a role model for every young player and for every person in the world because he's working so hard, he's so professional, he's so disciplined. He is taking care of his body, of his teammates and is being a real leader. I'm really glad to work with and to learn from him. "
Setting our sights on City. pic.twitter.com/YuicVekRswBrighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 6, 2026
Opta’s model still rates City strong favourites on home ground, despite Brighton’s recent success in this fixture and City’s present injury list. The probability values reflect City’s dominance at the Etihad, Brighton’s improved record in head-to-head meetings and both clubs’ current league form heading into the midweek encounter.
| Outcome | Opta win probability |
|---|---|
| Manchester City win | 63.3% |
| Draw | 19.5% |
| Brighton win | 17.2% |
With City attempting to manage injuries to Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones and Oscar Bobb, while coping without Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri during the Africa Cup of Nations, Brighton seek to extend a three-match unbeaten league spell against Guardiola’s side, in a contest shaped by absences, milestones and powerful statistical trends at the Etihad.
