Scott Carson to start and Julian Alvarez to lead the line – Predicted XI: Brighton vs Manchester City (Premier League)

Manchester City travel to Brighton on Wednesday evening for their penultimate match of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

The newly crowned Premier League champions face Europa League chasing Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Wednesday, with the Seagulls needing one point from their final two matches to confirm a top six finish.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side recently beat Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates but have suffered heavy losses to both Everton and Newcastle; losing 5-1 to the Toffees and 4-1 at St James’ Park.

The Seagulls lost 3-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad in October, as an Erling Haaland brace helped the Blues to an important victory.

The Norwegian, who looks set to win the Golden Boot, celebrated his first Premier League title on Sunday, as Manchester City lifted the trophy for a third consecutive season.

City secured their fifth title in six years on Saturday evening, though extended their unbeaten streak to 24 matches in all competitions with a 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola made a series of changes at the weekend, and ahead of Wednesday’s meeting at the AMEX Stadium, here is how we predict the Catalan will line-up his Manchester City squad.

Predicted XI

With the Premier League title wrapped up and an upcoming Emirates FA Cup Final for Stefan Ortega, Wednesday’s clash against Brighton could prove an ideal opportunity for Scott Carson to make his third Manchester City appearance.

Ahead of the veteran goalkeeper, one expects to see young Rico Lewis retain his place at right-back while Sergio Gomez drops into the left-back position.

In central defence, and considering the absentees reporting in the run-up to Wednesday night’s encounter, we expect John Stones to start alongside Rodri as a somewhat make-shift partnership for the position.

Kalvin Phillips could also make successive starts for Manchester City, following on from a confidence-building performance in the 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Phil Foden, who has five goals in seven appearances against Brighton, can be expected to drop into central midfield and play alongside Bernardo Silva at the AMEX Stadium.

Julian Alvarez will once again lead the line for the Blues, following Sunday’s match winning goal against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Either side of the Argentine striker will be Cole Palmer and Riyad Mahrez, completing Pep Guardiola’s starting side against the Seagulls.

Predicted XI: Carson; Lewis, Rodri, Stones, Gomez; Phillips, Bernardo, Foden; Mahrez, Alvarez, Palmer.

Substitutes: Ederson, Ortega Moreno, Walker, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Robertson, O’Reilly, Knight, Haaland.