Manchester City vs Brighton: 14/5 tip for Etihad clash

Manchester City are in for a fight if they are to secure a top four finish this season and face another stern test when they host Brighton on Saturday.

Odds Now's Brad Walker (@brad_TWalker) has cast his eyes over the fixture and picked out a solid 14/5 fancy at the Etihad.

Manchester City vs Brighton analysis - City consistently inconsistent

Hosts Manchester City were wounded by a 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest last weekend. The result dealt a big blow to their quest for a top four finish in what has been a bitterly disappointing campaign for Pep Guardiola's men.

A lack of consistency has been costly - City have won five and lost five of their last 10 in all competitions - leaving them with plenty to do if they are to secure Champions League football for next season.

Their previously imperious home form has also taken a hit. Two of their last five matches at the Etihad has ended in defeat. City have also lost three home games already this season.

With all this in mind, visiting Brighton have plenty of reason for optimism in their bid to land a seventh consecutive win in all competitions. Fabian Hurzeler's men have upset Newcastle in the FA Cup in recent weeks and also picked up an impressive win at home to Fulham last weekend.

The Seagulls also claimed a 2-1 win over City in the reverse fixture back in November and, while this may have been their first victory in this fixture in six games, this City side isn't the same as the ones they've faced in years gone by.

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Best bets for Manchester City vs Brighton on Saturday, March 15, 2025

Danny Welbeck to score anytime - 14/5 (General)

Having already mentioned City's poor recent home form, Brighton's forward players could be forgiven if they head to Manchester smelling blood.

The home side have kept only seven clean sheets in the league this season, with only three of them coming at the Etihad.

City have also conceded two or more goals in five of their 13 fixtures on home soil, which will be music to the ears of visiting striker Danny Welbeck.

The Englishman started the season on fire, scoring six goals in his first nine league appearances, only for injury to derail his momentum.

Nevertheless, the 34-year-old is back in the swing of things and has been back on the scoresheet in recent weeks.

After netting in a 2-1 win at Bournemouth at the end of February, Welbeck also landed an extra-time winning goal against Newcastle in the FA Cup at the beginning of this month.

His resurgence in front of goal will only add to his confidence of finding the net against a City defence which has shipped seven goals across their last five.

Brad Walker's Manchester City vs Brighton best bet