Macca provides a preview for the Brighton vs Man City game and picks out three fancies.
14:00 Sunday
Brighton welcome Manchester City to the Amex on Sunday with both sides looking to bounce back from frustrating league results.
The Seagulls have yet to claim a win this season, taking just one point from games against Fulham and Everton.
Fabian Hurzeler’s men will need to be sharper in front of goal if they’re to trouble the visitors.
City meanwhile arrive on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham that reignited concerns over their defensive vulnerabilities in transition.
Pep Guardiola could turn to Rodri for his first league start of the campaign, while Phil Foden and Erling Haaland will again be key threats.
Brighton took four points off City last season, but Guardiola’s side are unbeaten away from home since March and will be desperate to reassert themselves in the title race.
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Macca's Brighton vs Man City Best Bets
Erling Haaland Anytime Goalscorer @ 1.91 SkyBet | 1.85 Hills | 1.95 Ladbrokes, Coral (1pt)
Just like in my Liverpool v Arsenal Betting Preview, the market is braced for goals here, with the Asian goal line set at 3 and City’s team total over 1.5 trading at 1.66.
Recent history backs that up, the last four meetings between these sides have all produced at least three goals, with half of them clearing that mark comfortably.
Brighton have shipped 1.7 goals on average across their last 10 Premier League games, including a 2-0 defeat to Everton last weekend.
Hürzeler’s side have been chaotic defensively, and while their threat in transition could trouble City, the game profile sets up nicely for a Haaland anytime bet if the game does become end to end.
The Norwegian averages 0.75 goals across his last 20 league away starts and struck twice in the away game against Wolves on the opening day.
Last season, he posted an xG of 22.36 in 31 appearances, converting that into 22 goals. With added creativity behind him this season in Reijnders and Cherki, he’s again primed to deliver and near evens is a nice price to take.
I’ll also spread 0.25pt on Haaland to score 2+ goals @ 6.0 Ladbrokes/Coral (5.5–5.75 elsewhere).
Rayan Cherki To Assist @ 4.0 Bet365 (Super Sub & Void if Not Starting) (1pt)
Since we’ve touched on Haaland’s service, it’s worth looking at one of the players who could provide it. Rayan Cherki, the 22 year old attacking midfielder registered 11 assists for Lyon in Ligue 1 last season, underpinned by an impressive xA of 0.52 per 90.
He only featured for 54 minutes against Tottenham but still produced the highest Expected Assists in City’s side (0.44), which highlights just how creative he can be.
Bet365’s 4.0 for him to register an assist looks a standout price, especially with two key factors in your favour:
If he doesn’t start, the bet is voided with Bet365.
Super Sub applies, meaning if he comes off the bench the bet carries over. And with City’s bench strength, that’s a valuable safety net to take advantage of.
This same market is as short as 2.8 elsewhere, so Bet365’s odds are generous.
