Our prediction for this Premier League match:
Manchester City will look to make amends for back-to-back defeats to Wolverhampton and Arsenal when they take on Brighton at their Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Citizens suffered a dip in form, but it has to be noted that those defeats were recorded on the road. Pep Guardiola’s troops aim to keep their 100% record at home intact and they are likely to go all guns blazing at the Seagulls.
As key midfielder Rodri is back from suspension, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the reigning champions. Kevin De Bruyne remains on the sidelines with a long-term injury. Brighton, on the other hand, suffered an embarrassing 6-1 loss to Aston Villa in their last away game, which is yet another reason why home win should be considered. Former Liverpool midfielder James Milner is a major doubt, while Ecuador left-back Pervis Estupinan has yet to overcome a muscle injury.
Highlighted Player (Nathan Ake):
Ake is a professional footballer who plays for the Dutch National Team and AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The versatile defender who was born on the 18th of February, 1995, started his youth career in 2003 with local club ADO Den Haag. He then moved to Feyenoord in 2007 before joining Chelsea's youth academy four years later.
Ake made his first professional appearance at the age of 17, playing for the Blues in a 0-1 away victory against Norwich on the 26th of December, 2012. Barring a few starts and substitute appearances, Ake spent his next few years at Chelsea mostly in the reserves before being sent out on a one month loan to Reading in 2015. Upon his return, he immediately joined Watford on a season-long loan where his displays earned him the Watford's young player of the season award. Another successful loan spell at Bournemouth succeeded his time at Watford before Chelsea recalled him in January 2017.
At the start of the 17/18 season, the 24-year-old rejoined his current club Bournemouth permanently on a five-year contract worth 20 million pounds. On the International stage, Ake has represented the Netherlands at every youth level and has even captained the under-17 and under-19 sides. He made his first senior appearance on the 31st of May, 2017, featuring in Hollands 2-1 friendly win over Morocco.
Highlighted Team (Brighton):
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club were formed in 1901. The Seagulls welcome their opponents at Falmer Stadium and the capacity of Brighton’s home ground is 30,750. The stadium was built in 2008 and it was opened in 2011. The venue is known for commercial purposes as American Express Community Stadium.
Brighton & Hove Albion compete in the Premier League and they play in blue and white stripes. The colour of Brighton’s away kit is green. The club made it to the FA Cup final in 1983, but English giants Manchester United proved to be a big catch for the Red Devils.
Brighton’s main rivals are Crystal Palace and the Seagulls have recorded 35 wins over the Eagles. Frank Stapleton, Martin Chivers, Joe Corrigan, Bobby Zamora, Mark Lawrenson, Bobby Smith, John Crumplin and Frank Worthington are notable footballers who played for Brighton in the past. The Albion is Preston’s yet another nickname.