With the reigning champions currently holding a one-point lead on Liverpool, every game now carries even more significance with just seven matches in the league campaign remaining.
And if City required any extra incentives ahead of the visit of the Seagulls, a glance at the record books provides a number of encouraging statistical omens ahead of what’s sure to be another tough challenge.
Remarkably, City will step out at the Etihad against Graham Potter’s impressive side having won each of our last 18 Premier League fixtures to take place on a Wednesday.
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It’s a run that stretches back all the way to Boxing Day, 2018 when we were edged out 2-1 at Leicester.
By way of added coincidence, Brighton’s record when playing on Wednesdays in the league stands in stark contrast.
The Seagulls have won just one of their 16 Premier League games scheduled on Wednesdays to date (a percentage rate of 6.3%), though that victory was a significant one coming away at reigning champions Liverpool last season.
Of all teams to have played 10 or more games on a Wednesday, only Watford (5.3%) and Portsmouth (5%) have a lower midweek win rate than the Seagulls.
City can also take heart from what is a fine record against Brighton on our home patch, having never lost an Etihad league fixture against the Seagulls.
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From our 11-home Premier League encounters to date, we have won nine and drawn two, our most recent home success against Graham Potter’s men being a hard fought 1-0 success in January 2021.
City have also registered four or more goals in four of our last six matches against Brighton in all competitions, winning 4-1 in the reverse fixture at the Amex Stadium in October.
We have also kept a clean sheet in each of our last three home matches against Brighton, as well as achieving shut outs in five of our last seven encounters against them at the Etihad.
However, City will be aware of the threat of a resurgent Brighton. Pep Guardiola has made no secret of his admiration for the work and philosophy of Seagulls counterpart Graham Potter.
And after enduring a tough seven-game winless run in the Premier League, Potter’s side have now won each of their last two games, including a fine 1-0 win at Spurs last weekend.
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On an individual note, meanwhile, Phil Foden has shone bright in our recent fixtures with the South coast side.
The England attacking midfielder has been involved in five goals in his three Premier League starts against Brighton, scoring four and assisting one.
The 21-year-old has also scored more Premier League goals against the Seagulls than any other side in the competition (four).
