Manchester City are running out of time to secure Champions League football, but the path is anything but straightforward.
Last weekend’s defeat at Nottingham Forest was another reminder of how inconsistent City have been this season.
Manager Pep Guardiola admitted they ‘didn’t deserve to win’. With nine league defeats already, they are dangerously close to recording their worst campaign under his management.
Saturday’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion is not just about getting back on track. It is about proving they still belong in the top four race.
City have dropped points in four of their last eight home league matches, and another defeat would be the first time since 2021 that they have lost consecutive home games under Guardiola.
However, City have never lost a home game against Brighton in 14 meetings, winning the last 10 in a row.
Brighton have won their last four league matches, the longest ongoing streak in the division.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side are playing without pressure, despite sitting just three points outside the top four.
He has insisted that Champions League qualification is ‘not in the discussion’, but their performances tell a different story.
They have also been resilient on the road, losing just two of their last 11 away games in all competitions.
Guardiola has acknowledged the size of the challenge. “Brighton are one of the best clubs on and off the pitch,” he said.
“An exceptional young manager who is doing incredible things. They deserve to be there.”
The gap to fourth place is just two points, but with Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa in the mix, dropping points on Saturday could be costly for City.
