Brighton host Manchester City on Wednesday evening knowing that only a miracle will see them playing anything other than Europa League football next season, lending the game a pre-season feel.
City were confirmed as Premier League champions over the weekend when Arsenal lost to Nottingham Forest, while the Seagulls need a point to confirm their status in the Europa League, though even if they were to lose both their final games there would need to be a 16 goal swing to prevent them from qualifying and see Aston Villa take their place.
As a result, it is almost impossible to predict how seriously either side will take the game, with Pep Guardiola’s side in two cup finals at the end of the campaign.
Here’s how we expect De Zerbi to set out his Brighton side, and the latest team news from the south coast ahead of what could be the last home game for several first team stars.
📰 Table Of Contents
Predicted XI
Team News
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Adam Webster will be back in contention for a spot amongst the substitutes after overcoming a muscle injury.
“Adam Webster can’t play 90 minutes but he can be on the bench and he can play a part”, the Brighton boss told the media.
Solly March is also sidelined, after picking up a hamstring injury a fortnight ago during their 5-1 thrashing by Everton.
Another absentee will be backup goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who has decided to remove himself from the squad after being dropped in favour of Jason Steele.
‘We spoke before the Arsenal game, and we decided together the best solution was to stay home’, De Zerbi revealed. ‘He decides everything. Robert decides, and at the moment, it’s like this. He wanted it this way, not me, not the club.’
