Man City vs Brighton: Haaland Return Set to Shape Etihad Rematch

Manchester City go again against Brighton on Saturday, and the headline is straightforward. Erling Haaland is fit, available and expected to lead the line at the Etihad Stadium.

That matters, because City needed a response after the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa ended their perfect start. They got one in midweek. It was not glamorous, but it was necessary. Rotation helped too, with Enzo Maresca leaving out key names and keeping legs fresh for the Premier League meeting that carries more weight.

The manager was clear on squad fitness ahead of the rematch: “They are all available, [apart from] Antoine Semenyo. The rest, they are all available.” That leaves City in good shape, and it strongly points towards a stronger, more familiar starting XI.

Haaland return gives City focal point

Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma were both rested in midweek, which told its own story. The priority is the league, and Haaland’s return gives City their central reference point again. Jeremy Doku should also come back in with fresh legs, adding directness and pace around the Norwegian.

Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki showed enough together to merit another look. With Semenyo unavailable and Iliman Ndiaye underwhelming against Villa, there is a clear case for continuity in the attacking unit behind Haaland.

Maresca selection points to defensive reset

At the back, changes look likely. Marc Guehi had a difficult outing against Villa and then featured against Brighton in midweek, which suggests Maresca may now turn to Abdukodir Khusanov alongside Ruben Dias. Josko Gvardiol should return at left-back, while Matheus Nunes is expected on the right.

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson are beginning to look like Maresca’s preferred pairing. There is balance there, and for now that seems enough.

Predicted Man City XI vs Brighton

Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Khusanov, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Cherki, Foden, Doku; Haaland

Kick-off is 3pm GMT on Saturday October 31, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium. City have the better squad, the fresher stars and the clearer need. Now they need the performance to match.