EPL: Brighton v Man City preview

Brighton v Man City preview

Brighton will begin their first season in the Premier League with a tough test as they host Man City.

The Seagulls achieved automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship last term to secure their spot in England's top flight for the first time in 34 years.

They have made a number of acquisitions over the summer to help their Premier League campaign and have broken their club record for a signing three times, doing so on goalkeeper Matthew Ryan, midfielder Davy Propper and then winger Jose Izquierdo.

Man City also have a few new faces in their ranks although they have cost considerably more than Brighton's arrivals and the pressure is on manager Pep Guardiola after a difficult first season on English shores.

 

He guided City to a third place finish in the Premier League table but did not manage to win any silverware - the first time Guardiola has not won a trophy in his first season at a new club - and were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Monaco.

Izquierdo is unlikely to receive his international clearance in time to make his Brighton bow but Chris Hughton can call on fellow new recruit Propper in the middle of the park.

Midfielder Beram Kayal will miss the next two months with a broken leg however, and his absence restricts boss Hughton's options.

Man City could hand debuts to four summer signings, with Ederson, Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker and Danilo all in line to start.

Another new recruit, Benjamin Mendy, is missing with a thigh problem while Ilkay Gundogan is not yet fully fit after suffering a knee injury last season.