City welcome the Seagulls to the Etihad Stadium for a 15:00 kick-off, looking to get back on track after successive Premier League defeats against Wolves and Arsenal before the international break.
Brighton qualified for the Europa League last season and have again started well, claiming 16 points from their first eight games.
City v Brighton | Match preview
Our opponents this weekend have also drawn plaudits for their style of play, having become known for expansive, attacking football under De Zerbi and previous manager Graham Potter.
They are currently the league’s top scorers with 21 goals in total while their 16 goals conceded is the most outside of the three teams currently occupying the relegation zone.
In last year’s Etihad meeting between the sides, Brighton attacked City and had more possession before our class shone through and we claimed a 3-1 victory.
Ahead of facing the south coast side again, Akanji says Brighton’s style makes this a game City players look forward to.
“It is always good to play against them because they play a similar style to what we have,” he said.
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“They try to play from the back and play some patterns during the game. There is also a phase sometimes against them when they have the ball and they try to control the game which is a bit different for us.
“Here in England a lot of opponents sit a lot deeper and try to defend their own goal. When you play against a team like Brighton, it is good when you have to change your playing style a little bit because sometimes you have to defend as well.
“It is a challenge and I like challenges. They are a team that try to play football from the back and finish their attacks. I love to watch them.”
Our recent Premier League losses have coincided with the suspension of Rodrigo after his red card against Nottingham Forest last month.
The midfielder is again available and expected to feature on Saturday.
While Akanji acknowledges the Spaniard’s importance to the team, he doesn’t believe his recent absence can be used as an excuse.
“Even though he was missing and he is a really important player for us, we have players that can play in his position and they are really good too,” the defender stated.
“I think all of us have to do better, it’s not just because Rodri was missing. We have got other players that have been missing most of the season like John and Kevin and we managed to win games.
“Hopefully we can turn it around and Rodri can help us do it. He is really important. He fits perfectly in our system and the way that we play, offensively and defensively.
“I think he is the best number six in the world and hopefully he can show it in the next few games that we have got.”
City v Brighton app coverage
Minute-by-minute text updates of the game will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, shortly followed by our Matchday Live show which will begin around 14:00 (UK) – as the team news comes in.
Matchday Live regulars Paul Dickov and Steve Howey will be in the studio with host Cel Spellman. And special guest British Muay Thai champion and Sale-born star Dakota Ditcheva will be on the couch to provide a punch of excitement in her debut on Matchday Live.
During the game you can listen to blow-by-blow live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison while our text commentary continues.
Short highlights of the match will be available from 19:00 (UK) with extended highlights and a full-match replay, via CITY+, available from midnight.
