Brighton vs Man City LIVE commentary: Foden closes in on historic goal as champions look to keep title: Kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Premier League champions Manchester City will look to keep the title race in their hands when they travel to face Brighton this week.

The city has an advantage Arsenal and Liverpool but their fixture schedule means they could be four points behind when they play.

pep guardiolaThe team has not been in Premier League action for over a week due to their FA Cup semi-final commitments at Wembley.

In their absence, both Arsenal and Liverpool moved above them in the table by beating Wolves and Fulham respectively.

The two teams are also in action this week, meaning even a win for City won't automatically put them back on top, although they would still have a game in hand.

Brighton vs Man City: Flying Foden

Phil Foden He is approaching a historic scoring milestone in the best individual season of his career.

The 23-year-old has played for City his entire career, going from fan to academy product and making history as a treble winner.

However, Kevin De BruyneThe serious injury he suffered at the beginning of this campaign has allowed it to flourish into the team's superstar.

Oasis legend Noel Gallagher has already told talkSPORT that Foden will soon be named as Guardiola's greatest legacy in the city.

The England international is closing in on his 50th Premier League goal before rejoining favorite opponents Brighton.

Against no team has Foden scored more goals in the Premier League than against Brighton.

He has scored six in his last seven games against the Seagulls, although he suffered a rare miss in front of goal during the 2-1 victory in the first leg in October.

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• Seven of Kevin De Bruyne's nine Premier League goals for Manchester City this season have come in his six away appearances (all 3 goals, plus 4 assists). He is averaging a goal or assist every 43 minutes on the road in the league this season.
• Brighton's 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in their last home game in the Premier League ended the Seagulls' 12-match unbeaten run at the Amex Stadium in the league (W6 D6). The last time they lost consecutive home league games was in November/December 2022 (including the loss to Arsenal), while the last time they lost consecutive home league games was in the same month in March 2022.
• Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games (13 wins and 4 draws), and the last time they had a longer streak in the same season was between November and March in 2020-21 (19).

Brighton vs Man City: team news

The home team is plagued by injury problems, led by long-term absences. solly march, Kaoru Mitomaand Jack Hinshelwood.

Brighton will also be left without James MilnerAdam Webster and Tariq Lamptey with late tests to be carried out on Julio Enciso, Evan Fergusonand Billy Gilmour.

The city has been boosted by the return of Juan Piedras to training on Tuesday, but both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden missed it.

Neither of the last two has been definitively ruled out of the contest, since the champions do not present any other injury problems.

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• Since beating Sheffield United 5-0 in February, Brighton have scored just four goals in their last seven Premier League games. The Seagulls have also not won in each of their last four (D2 L2).
• Manchester City have won 17 of their 19 midweek Premier League games (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) in the last three seasons, with the exceptions of a 1-1 draw at Brighton (May 2023) and a 1-1 defeat. 0 at Aston Villa (December 2023).
• Brighton have failed to score in their three midweek Premier League games (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) so far in 2024, drawing 0-0 with West Ham and Brentford and losing 4-0 to Luton.

Brighton vs Man City: What has been said?

talk SPORT Simón Jordán has told Guardiola to “shut up” after the City manager ranted about match scheduling.

In reaction to the city manager, the former crystal Palace The owner said: “Let's do it right. The reason you have one of the most expensive teams, the reason why footballers are paid ridiculous amounts is because of broadcast revenue.

“So you can't accept all the advantages and no disadvantages. I saw his interview after the game with Gary Linekerwho was left speechless, which I always think is a plus.

“But he came out with this ridiculous martyr syndrome. If City had won real Madridyou probably wouldn't have heard the same perspective from him.

“You are in the business of sports, your achievements have taken you to the highest levels of gaming and the match schedule is the result of that.

“You have a team with this, you have players capable of dealing with this, shut up now. To me, it is beyond acceptable.”

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• The two times Manchester City failed to beat Brighton in the Premier League were in a midweek match at the Amex Stadium: they lost 3-2 in May 2021 (Tuesday) and drew 1-1 in May 2023 (Wednesday) , although they had already been confirmed as champions on both occasions.
• Manchester City have scored in all 13 of their Premier League games against Brighton; They have only faced Bournemouth more times (14) in the competition and have scored in every game.
• Brighton have lost 11 of their 13 Premier League games against Manchester City (W1 D1), although each of their four points against the Citizens in the competition have come in their last three home games against them (W1 D1 1D).

Brighton vs Man City: talkSPORT coverage

This Premier League clash will take place on Thursday, April 25.

The start at the Amex is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

talkSPORT will have exclusive live coverage from the south coast, presented by Hugh Woozencroft.

The comment comes from Sam Matterface and former Chelsea advocate Scott Minto.