Man City vs Brighton: Haaland Returns, Predicted Lineup and Team News

Erling Haaland is fit and expected to lead Manchester City's line against Brighton

Manchester City host Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, 31 October 2026 (3pm GMT), with Erling Haaland available and expected to start. Manager Enzo Maresca has a near-full squad, and a refreshed City XI is predicted after midweek rotation.

Fixture: Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Kick-off: 3pm GMT, Saturday 31 October 2026
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Competition: Premier League
Key return: Erling Haaland is fit and expected to start
Out: Antoine Semenyo is unavailable

Predicted Manchester City XI vs Brighton

Manchester City (4-2-3-1)

Predicted starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov, Josko Gvardiol; Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson; Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland

Substitutes: Not confirmed in source.

Selection notes

Maresca confirmed that only Antoine Semenyo is unavailable, saying: “They are all available, [apart from] Antoine Semenyo. The rest, they are all available.” That gives City a near-full squad to choose from.

Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma were rested in midweek, signalling that the league is the priority. Haaland's return gives City their focal point, while 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 Aston Villa, continuity in the attacking unit behind Haaland is likely.

At the back, Marc Guehi had a difficult outing against Villa and then featured against Brighton in midweek, which suggests Maresca may 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, offering balance.

What was said

“They are all available, [apart from] Antoine Semenyo. The rest, they are all available.”
— Enzo Maresca, Manchester City manager, on squad fitness

Maresca's update confirms that City have options across the pitch. The only absentee is Semenyo, which leaves the manager free to select his strongest available XI. The return of Haaland and Donnarumma after midweek rest underlines the importance of this league fixture.

The quote also highlights the depth at Maresca's disposal. With virtually a full squad, competition for places is intense, particularly in defence where Guehi's recent form could see him drop to the bench.

Why Maresca is set to reshuffle his defence

Marc Guehi endured a difficult outing against Aston Villa, and his subsequent involvement against Brighton in midweek suggests he may be taken out of the firing line. Abdukodir Khusanov is poised to partner Ruben Dias at centre-back, offering a fresher and potentially more robust pairing. Josko Gvardiol should return at left-back, while Matheus Nunes is expected on the right, giving City a balanced and athletic back four.

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson are emerging as Maresca's preferred double pivot. Their balance of control and energy provides a solid platform for the attacking talent ahead. The inclusion of Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden behind Erling Haaland, with Jeremy Doku providing width, gives City a potent blend of creativity and pace.

The expected changes reflect Maresca's desire to keep legs fresh and maintain intensity. After the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa ended their perfect start, City responded with a necessary midweek win, and rotation helped. This predicted XI looks stronger and more familiar, pointing to a clear intent to dominate Brighton.

Talking points

Should Maresca stick with Guehi despite his Villa struggles or trust Khusanov alongside Dias? The answer could define City's defensive solidity.
Is the Fernandez-Anderson midfield pairing dynamic enough to control Brighton's press, or does it lack a dedicated destroyer?
With Haaland back, can City rediscover their ruthless edge and avoid another slip-up like the Villa defeat?
Does Doku's return mean Ndiaye drops out entirely, or does Maresca have a plan to use both?

What happens next

Manchester City face Brighton at the Etihad on Saturday, 31 October 2026, aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League. A victory would restore confidence after the Aston Villa setback. Brighton will provide a stern test, and Maresca's selection will reveal his priorities for the coming weeks.