Manchester City host Brighton at the Etihad on Saturday in a Premier League clash that could test Enzo Maresca's 'calm' mood after his side's midweek cup victory.
The two teams meet for the second time in a week, with City having won a Carabao Cup tie on penalties on Wednesday. Brighton, who lost at Anfield last Sunday and exited the cup, are looking to avoid three defeats in a row.
Maresca's 'calm' after cup win
City's victory was satisfying for Maresca because he rested five of his best players completely and only introduced a few others as substitutes. That feel-good factor has helped the manager describe the mood as 'calm' after the Villa defeat, although Brighton could change that theory.
Brighton are the only side to have scored more goals than City in the Premier League after eight matches. The first goal should be particularly significant: between them, the two sides have a 100 per cent record on the 12 occasions they have taken the lead in a match this season.
Second-half trends
City came from behind to win on the opening day at home to Bournemouth and twice cancelled out Brighton leads in the cup on Wednesday before winning the shootout. City have generally saved their most productive spells for the second half, with 13 of their 20 league goals arriving after the break.
Brighton have scored 12 goals in that time, but more impressive is at the other end: just one of the eight goals they have conceded has come in the second half, and that was back in August when Cole Palmer scored for Chelsea. They have played six league games since then without conceding after the break.
Significant test for both clubs
Maresca has had an exceptional start as he succeeds Pep Guardiola, yet still has to temper the idea that City will struggle against better sides after defeats to Arsenal, PSG and Villa. Having booked a home Carabao Cup quarter-final against League One side Bradford with one victory over Brighton this week, a second will go a considerable way to framing expectations for this new City side.
