Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Brighton & Hove Albion could line up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Brighton & Hove Albion could be boosted by the return of a few first-team stars from injury for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley have a “big chance” of making the matchday squad after spells out with ankle injuries, while Lewis Dunk (calf) and Yankuba Minteh (muscle) are both doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Yasin Ayari was taken off with an ankle problem in Brighton’s 2-1 defeat at Liverpool last weekend, but Hurzeler has since revealed that the midfielder has returned to training and “might be an option for the weekend”. The same can be said for Carlos Baleba, who watched on as an unused substitute at Anfield due to a knee issue.
Three players who remain unavailable for selection are Solly March (ACL), with James Milner, Adam Webster (both thigh), with the latter two targeting a return after the international break.
Hurzeler is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his starting lineup, although either Baleba or Mats Wieffer could be recalled in midfield if Ayari is not deemed fit to retain his starting spot.
Ferdi Kadioglu scored his first goal for Brighton last weekend while playing as a right-sided midfielder, and the versatile Turk could continue in the same role against Man City, with Kaoru Mitoma operating on the opposite flank.
In-form striker Danny Welbeck has scored six goals in 10 Premier League games this season, but he has never scored in 19 previous top-flight meetings with Man City. The 33-year-old is nevertheless expected to start in attack with Georginio Rutter.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan; Kadioglu, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Mitoma; Rutter, Welbeck
> Click here to see how Manchester City could line up for this contest
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