Manchester City to host Brighton at the Etihad in ninth matchweek of 2026-27 Premier League on October 31

Manchester City will host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on October 31 in the ninth matchweek of the 2026-27 Premier League, the clubs confirmed in their pre-match information. The fixture is being billed as a key test for both sides following recent cup and league results.

Enzo Maresca’s side controlled the majority of possession in their recent EFL Cup tie with Brighton but were described as vulnerable in attack and defence during that outing and will aim to rectify those shortcomings. City arrive after a 1-2 Premier League defeat by Aston Villa, yet they sit top of the division with seven wins from their opening eight top-flight matches. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton have failed to win in their last three matches and were eliminated in their Carabao Cup meeting with City, despite winning five of their first eight league games and occupying third place in the table.

Erling Haaland, who was rested for the Carabao Cup tie, is expected to lead Manchester City’s attack in the Premier League and remains the team’s principal scorer; the forward has netted nine goals in eight league games this season. The club’s selection notes emphasise Haaland’s role as a focal point in City’s forward line going into the weekend fixture.

Charalampos Kostoulas is once again listed to start as Brighton’s sole striker; the 19-year-old has five goal contributions in eight Premier League appearances this season and will be tasked with troubling City’s defence. The match preview highlights Kostoulas’s continued presence up front for the Seagulls and his recent contributions in the league campaign.

Manchester City will be without Antonie Semenyo, who is not part of the squad due to a leg injury, while Matheus Nunes has returned to training. Brighton’s absentees are listed as Evan Ferguson, Femi Azeez, Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas and Zadok Yohanna, all injured; Pascal Struijk, Ferdi Kadioglu and Chema Andres are named as not yet confirmed for the matchday squad.

Projected lineups published with the preview read: Donnarumma (GK); Khusanov, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernandez; Ndiaye, Cherki, Doku; Haaland for Manchester City, and Verbruggen (GK); Hadjam, Vuskovic, Dunk, Boscagli; Gross, Hinshelwood; Gomez, Ayari, De Cuyper; Kostoulas for Brighton.

The preview concludes with a score prediction of Manchester City 3-2 Brighton and states the game will be broadcast in India via JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network for viewers wishing to follow the match live.