Manchester City face Brighton in the League Cup Round of 16 at the Etihad Stadium this Wednesday. The match kicks off at 19:30 local time and offers an immediate chance for a response after City's 2-1 league loss to Aston Villa last weekend. Despite that result, City sit first in the Premier League on 21 points after eight games, with a record of seven wins and one loss.
Fabian Hürzeler, the Premier League's youngest permanent manager at 31, will be in the opposite dugout. He earned promotion to the Bundesliga with St. Pauli after a 13-year absence and has guided Brighton to a strong start this season with five wins from seven top-flight games. Brighton are currently third, setting up a fascinating double-header as the teams meet again in the league on Saturday 31 October.
Recent form
City's form has been mixed, with a 5-1 Champions League win over AEK Athens preceding the defeat at Villa Park. Their recent form across the last five games reads three wins and two losses. Erling Haaland, the team's top scorer with nine goals in eight appearances this season, scored in the recent 2-1 loss to Aston Villa and will be central to their hopes. In the league, City have scored 20 goals and conceded nine for a goal difference of plus eleven. Brighton advanced to this round with a notable 3-2 away victory at Manchester United.
Team news
Pep Guardiola's last starting lineup featured Donnarumma in goal with a back four of Khusanov, Guéhi, Rúben Dias and Gvardiol. The last meeting between these sides was a 3-2 Premier League win for City just ten days ago.
City's next fixture is another home game against Brighton in the league this Saturday, a quick turnaround that adds intrigue to this cup clash. Tickets for Wednesday's match are available from £20 for adults.
