Predicted Starting XI: Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League)

Predicted Starting XI: Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League) All eyes will be on Gianluigi Donnarumma in net for Manchester City on Saturday. On Wednesday night, City hosted Brighton with a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on the line. Despite the hosts starting on the front foot, Brighton took the lead just half an hour in through Malick Junior Yalcouye. The Malian winger found himself unmarked on the edge of the six yard box, played marginally onside by Ayyoub Bouaddi, from there a tap-in left the hosts trailing. The opener spurred Maresca's side into action though, and just ten minutes later they were back level. Phil Foden found Mateo Kovacic just outside the area, and the Croatian international made no mistake with a wonderfully placed side-footed finish. After the break it didn't take long for the visitors to take the lead once again. Georginio Rutter got himself goal-side of Mateo Kovacic and slotted home to the left of Geronimo Rulli, leaving Manchester City with all the work to do. For the next 25 minutes, the Blues piled the pressure on, struggling to find a proper break. With a free-kick on the edge of the area won by Abdukodir Khusanov, that break had come along. Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki both stood over the ball, but it was the Frenchman who lined up the strike. Cherki's low-driven strike was met by Vitor Reis who prodded the ball home to get the cup holders back in the game. With no one able to find a winner, penalty kicks would be the decider. Phil Foden, Enzo Fernandez, Rayan Cherki, and Jeremy Doku all made no mistake with their spot-kicks, but with Jason Steele denying Mateo Kovacic, the Blues had to hope for a miracle. Enter Geronimo Rulli. The Argentine was more than a match for both Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk's efforts, sending his side through to the Carabao Cup quarter-final for the 26th time. Next up, a rematch. Brighton currently sit third in the Premier League, a defeat for them could see them drop to fifth with both Liverpool and Chelsea both within two points. For City, a win is imperative following the defeat against Aston Villa  last week. Manchester City will be hoping to get back to winning ways as they look to hold on to top spot in the Premier League. Here is how we predict Enzo Maresca's side will line up for Saturday's match! Predicted XI Enzo Maresca was quick to confirm Gianluigi Donnarumma's spot in goal on the weekend, saying the lineup will feature "Gigio and ten others". Despite a mixed run of performances so far this season, Maresca looks as if he will keep trust in the Italian shot-stopper for the foreseeable future. Matheus Nunes has struggled with fitness in the early stages of the season, his return to training on Thursday looks to be a positive sign ahead of the weekend. The Portugal international was touted for a return in the cup fixture, but having been rested for that it looks as if a start on Saturday is more likely. Ruben Dias was rested on Wednesday with the fixture schedule piling up. With the captain's place all but confirmed, the real question is, who partners him? Enzo Maresca looks to be backing Marc Guehi despite a poor run of form in recent fixtures, City fans will be hoping that the former Crystal Palace captain will repay that faith in his next outing. Josko Gvardiol has made a fine start to the season, keeping Nico O'Reilly and Rayan Ait-Nouri out of the starting line-up for the majority of the season so far. Gvardiol's versatility and ability at both ends of the pitch may prove to be crucial in stopping Brighton's attacking power on Saturday. Elliot Anderson has made himself next to undroppable for Manchester City this season, after his summer signing. Only Ruben Dias has covered more distance on the pitch than Anderson over the opening eight matches of the season, and no one has made more defensive contributions for the Blues. In order to control what could be a rather chaotic match, Anderson's involvement could prove to be the decisive factor. Enzo Fernandez has partnered Elliot Anderson routinely since becoming the club record signing this summer, no doubt they'll partner up once again on Saturday. Fernandez's work rate has been second to none this season, covering more ground per-90 than any other City player in the league. Rayan Cherki's sensational start to the season has seen him further cement his status as a fan favourite at the Etihad. With 10 G/A already this season across all competitions, Cherki should get the nod against Brighton for the second time this week. Following his assist for the equaliser on Wednesday, Enzo Maresca and fans alike will be hoping that the France international can be the difference maker once again. Summer signing Iliman Ndiaye looks to be enjoying his start to life at the Etihad Stadium. With three assists in his last four games, Ndiaye has been instrumental to the Manchester City attack since the international break. Following the disappointing result against Aston Villa a week ago, more of the same will be needed from the Senegal international. In a turn of events that will shock no one Erling Haaland leads the Premier League golden boot race once again. The Norwegian striker was rested in the midweek fixture, a rare occasion given his importance to the side. With 13 goals in 11 starts this season, you would be foolish to bet against him in this one. Jeremy Doku has been absolutely electric in his return to action. Despite having only featured in four matches, no one has created more big chances than the Belgian winger's five, and no one has more expected assists per 90 than his 0.50. Between Doku, Cherki, and Ndiaye, Erling Haaland should have plenty of service on Saturday. Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernandez; Ndiaye, Cherki, Doku, Haaland Substitutes: Rulli, Lewis, Reis, Khusanov, O'Reilly, Kovacic, Bouaddi, Foden, McAidoo