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Brighton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 11
Nov 9, 2024 at 5.30pm UK
The American Express Community Stadium
Manchester City logo

Brighton
vs.
Man City

Brighton vs. Man City: Fabian Hurzeler issues Joao Pedro, Matt O'Riley, Carlos Baleba injury update

Hurzeler confirms triple Brighton injury boost ahead of Man City clash
© Imago
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler provides a positive injury update on Joao Pedro, Matt O'Riley and Carlos Baleba ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City.

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler has provided a positive update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls have made an impressive start to life under 31-year-old Hurzeler this season and have picked up 16 points from their opening 10 league matches (W4 D4 L2).

Brighton do, however, head into this weekend's fixture seeking to returning to winning ways after letting a one-goal lead slip in a 2-1 defeat at table-toppers Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday.

Hurzeler has had to cope without a number of his first-team stars for some time, including key attacker Joao Pedro, who has missed Brighton's last six games since injuring his ankle against Nottingham Forest in September.

Midfielder Matt O'Riley - a £25m summer signing from Celtic - sustained an ankle injury of his own on his Seagulls debut in the EFL Cup at the end of August, and has subsequently been sidelined for the last 10 matches.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Matt O'Riley during the warm-up before the match on August 27, 2024© Imago

Brighton receive Pedro, O'Riley injury boost

However, Hurzeler has confirmed that both Pedro and O'Riley have a "big chance" of being selected in the matchday squad for Saturday's game, while at least four other players will need assessing ahead of kickoff.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Hurzeler said: "Some of them for sure will return. I think especially Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley they have a big chance.

"[Yankuba] Minteh and Lewis Dunk we have to see the next days. For Solly [March] it's too early."

While captain Dunk (calf) and Minteh (muscle) have missed the last three and four games respectively through injury, March has been sidelined for the last 12 months with an ACL injury.

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba in September 2024.© Imago

Ayari, Baleba could also feature vs. Man City

Hurzeler has also confirmed that Yasin Ayari "will train today" and "might be an option for the weekend" after shaking off an ankle problem that forced him off against Liverpool last time out.

Meanwhile, Carlos Baleba should be fit to feature against Man City after watching on as an unused substitute against Liverpool due to a knee problem.

Asked by Sussex World if Baleba is available to play this weekend, Hurzeler said: "I think so, yes", but he remained tight-lipped when asked if the midfielder could start against Pep Guardiola's side.

Two Brighton players, along with March, who remain unavailable for selection are Adam Webster and James Milner, who are nursing hamstring injuries and will target a return after the international break.

Brighton currently sit eighth in the Premier League table and can move level on points with third-placed Nottingham Forest if they beat a Man City side who sit second and have lost their last three games in all competitions.

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Who will win Saturday's Premier League clash between Brighton and Man City?

Brighton & Hove Albion
Draw
Manchester City
Brighton & Hove Albion
56.5%
Draw
17.4%
Manchester City
26.1%
23
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Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba in September 2024.
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Tables header RHS
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2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
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5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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