Manchester City walk into Wednesday night carrying two very different feelings at the same time. On the surface, there is the familiar confidence of champions playing at home, backed by a crowd that expects control, dominance, and victory. But underneath that confidence, there is anxiety, the kind that Pep Guardiola rarely likes to show but cannot fully hide. The visit of Brighton to the Etihad comes at a moment when City’s defensive strength has been badly shaken, forcing Guardiola to think less about perfection and more about survival.
This is not the Manchester City Pep Guardiola wants. This is not the Manchester City built on stability at the back, calm progression through the thirds, and total control of space. Injuries have stripped away the manager’s preferred options and left him with puzzles instead of choices. Against Brighton, the starting eleven is shaped not by desire but by necessity, and the defensive line in particular tells a story of improvisation rather than comfort.
The problems deepened during Sunday’s draw with Chelsea, a match that already felt like a missed opportunity before the injury blows arrived. Josko Gvardiol, one of City’s most important defenders this season, suffered a fractured shinbone. The diagnosis was devastating. His season is over. There will be no comeback, no late push, no dramatic return. Just months of recovery and rehabilitation while his teammates fight on without him.
As if that was not enough, Ruben Dias pulled up with a hamstring problem in the same match. Dias is not just another defender. He is the leader, the organiser, the man who talks constantly, who pulls teammates into position and calms storms before they grow. Losing him for around six weeks removes the brain of the defence at a time when City need clarity more than ever.
John Stones, another crucial piece of Guardiola’s defensive structure, has already been missing for over a month. When asked about Stones, Guardiola offered little hope. He made it clear that Stones is not ready for the next games and hinted that this season is beginning to look worryingly similar to the last, where injuries repeatedly interrupted his rhythm. Stones’ intelligence, flexibility, and calmness on the ball are exactly what City lack right now, but Guardiola cannot rely on him.
Adding to the list of absentees, Rayan Ait Nouri remains away on AFCON duty, further limiting Guardiola’s options. Rotation, something City usually manage better than almost any club in the world, is simply not possible this week. There are not enough bodies, not enough trusted legs, not enough experience to shuffle things around freely.
With so many senior defenders unavailable, Guardiola has been forced to turn to youth and adaptability. Abdukodir Khusanov, just 21 years old, is expected to start at centre back. This will be only his seventh league appearance of the season, a statistic that underlines how suddenly his responsibility has grown. Khusanov is talented, athletic, and brave, but this is a big stage and a big test, especially against a Brighton side that enjoys movement, pressing, and positional chaos.
Alongside him, Nathan Ake is expected to provide experience and structure. Ake has not been a guaranteed starter this season, beginning fewer than half of City’s league matches, but his versatility and understanding of Guardiola’s system make him invaluable in moments like this. He knows how to cover spaces, when to step out, and how to help younger teammates through difficult spells.
The full back roles are another example of Guardiola bending his system to fit the situation. Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes are likely to operate there, not as orthodox defenders but as functional ones. This is classic Guardiola. Rather than forcing traditional roles, he adapts responsibilities. These full backs will tuck into midfield, support possession, and help City dominate the ball, even if defending wide areas is not their natural strength.
Khusanov has not started a league match since mid December, and his sudden return to the starting eleven highlights just how stretched City are. Max Alleyne, recently recalled from his loan at Watford, is expected to make the squad, but a start seems unlikely. The message is clear. Guardiola wants as much familiarity as possible elsewhere on the pitch, even if the defence itself feels patched together.
Because the back line looks fragile on paper, the responsibility on midfield becomes enormous. This is where City must protect themselves. Nico Gonzalez is fit again after missing the Chelsea match, but he is unlikely to replace Rodri. In fact, Rodri’s importance has never been clearer. When City are weakened defensively, he becomes the shield, the controller, the man who slows the game down and prevents waves of pressure from ever reaching the defence.
Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders are expected to play alongside Rodri, and their tasks go beyond creativity. They must control territory, dictate tempo, and compress space so Brighton have fewer opportunities to attack directly. This midfield trio is not just about passing and pressing. It is about protection. Every extra second on the ball, every sideways pass, every clever movement is designed to keep danger as far away from Khusanov and Ake as possible.
This approach does not represent a change in Guardiola’s philosophy, but it is a pragmatic adjustment. City will still dominate possession, still push high, still look to suffocate Brighton. But there is a greater awareness of risk. Guardiola knows his defence cannot be exposed too often. The balance between control and caution will be delicate.
In attack, the choices add another layer of intrigue. Jeremy Doku’s return comes at the perfect time. His pace, directness, and unpredictability offer something different, something that can stretch Brighton and force them back. Phil Foden has not scored since early December, and while his overall play remains intelligent, Guardiola may decide that this is the right moment to shake things up. Doku’s ability to beat defenders one on one could be decisive.
Erling Haaland remains the focal point, even though his goal drought continues. Normally, Guardiola might consider rotation or alternative options, but Omar Marmoush is away at AFCON, leaving Haaland as the clear choice. Sometimes football decisions are made by default as much as design. Haaland will lead the line, expected to occupy defenders, create space for others, and hopefully rediscover his scoring touch.
Brighton are not opponents City can underestimate. Last season, they caused problems, disrupting City’s patterns and forcing them into uncomfortable moments. Their pressing, movement, and bravery on the ball make them awkward visitors. This is not a night for wild experimentation. Guardiola knows this must be about balance, discipline, and trust.
The predicted lineup reflects all these concerns and calculations. In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma provides experience and authority. The back four of O’Reilly, Khusanov, Ake, and Nunes is unconventional but functional. In midfield, Silva, Rodri, and Reijnders form the control centre. Ahead of them, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku support Haaland, offering creativity and threat between the lines.
Injuries have removed many familiar names. Gvardiol, Dias, Stones, Savinho, Bobb, and Kovacic are all unavailable. Ait Nouri and Marmoush remain away on international duty. This list alone explains why Guardiola’s team selection feels more like problem solving than planning.
The match takes place at 7.30pm GMT on Wednesday January 7, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium, with live coverage on Sky Sports. On paper, City are favourites. At home, with their quality, they should be. But football is not played on paper, and Guardiola knows that nights like this test more than just talent. They test adaptability, mentality, and collective responsibility.
For the younger players, this is an opportunity to grow. For the experienced ones, it is a moment to lead. For Guardiola, it is another reminder that even the best squads can be stretched to their limits. How City respond to this defensive crisis could shape not just this match, but the weeks ahead.
Brighton will arrive believing they can take something. City will step onto the pitch knowing they must be smarter, tighter, and more patient than usual. This is not the Manchester City of comfort and abundance. This is Manchester City in survival mode, still dangerous, still dominant, but forced to fight through uncertainty with intelligence and unity.
