Manchester City host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on October 28, with a place in the Carabao Cup’s next round at stake. Both teams arrive after Premier League defeats and have an immediate chance to respond. City, the defending champions, lost 2-1 at Aston Villa on October 24, while Brighton were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool the following day. Their routes through the previous round were contrasting: City cruised past Norwich City 5-0 at home, and Brighton won a close contest 3-2 away to Manchester United. Recent meetings add another layer to this fourth-round match, with both teams scoring and more than 2.5 goals recorded in three encounters between them.

Manchester City's Recent Form and Key Stats

City’s defeat at Aston Villa ended their perfect Premier League record, but it came after a 5-1 victory over AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League league phase. Across their last five matches, Manchester City have three wins and two defeats, averaging 2.8 goals scored and 1.8 conceded per game. That combination points to a side producing plenty in attack while also allowing opportunities at the other end.

The Carabao Cup has already brought a convincing result for the holders. Their 5-0 third-round win over Norwich gives them one victory, five goals scored and none conceded in this season’s competition. City lifted the trophy for the ninth time last season by beating Arsenal 2-0 in the final, so this fixture is another step in their defence of it. At home, they have won six of their last seven matches this season.

City’s longer home scoring record is also notable: they have found the net in each of their last 21 home matches and have scored in 12 consecutive matches overall. At least two total goals were recorded in 20 of those 21 home fixtures. In their last four home matches, both sides scored during the second half, a run also recorded across City’s last four matches regardless of venue. Those figures suggest that an early advantage would not necessarily settle this cup tie.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Recent Form and Key Stats

Brighton & Hove Albion travel to Manchester looking to put their defeat at Liverpool behind them. The 2-0 loss ended a four-match Premier League winning streak and was their first setback in nine matches across all competitions. Their last five results comprise three wins, one draw and one defeat, with averages of 2.2 goals scored and just 0.4 conceded per match. That recent defensive figure contrasts with the two goals they allowed in their Carabao Cup win at Manchester United.

The 3-2 victory over Manchester United took Brighton into the fourth round and showed their ability to score away from home in this competition. Across their road matches, they are averaging 2.6 goals per game according to the supplied match information. They have also scored on each of their last four away visits to City. Those are useful indicators ahead of another trip to the Etihad, though the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool is a reminder that their recent attacking run has not continued in every fixture.

Brighton’s cup record this season stands at one win from one match, with three goals scored and two conceded. Unlike City’s comfortable passage through the previous round, Brighton had to come through a five-goal contest. If this match follows a similar pattern, their recent scoring record on the road gives them reason to believe they can contribute again.

Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion Match Analysis

This Carabao Cup preview brings together two teams with strong recent scoring figures but different experiences in the previous round. City put five past Norwich without conceding; Brighton scored three at Manchester United but conceded twice. Across the last five matches, City’s games have featured averages of 2.8 goals scored and 1.8 conceded by them, while Brighton’s figures are 2.2 scored and 0.4 conceded. City’s home scoring streak makes a goal for the hosts a clear consideration, and Brighton’s away scoring figures leave open the possibility of a reply.

The head-to-head record offers reasons to expect a competitive match rather than a straightforward repeat of City’s third-round win. The latest meeting finished 1-1 on January 7, 2026. Across the five meetings covered by the supplied head-to-head summary, City have one win, two draws and two defeats, averaging 1.8 goals scored and 1.4 conceded. Three encounters have produced both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals, although the most recent finished with two goals.

For City, the task is to turn a strong home scoring record into progress after the Aston Villa defeat. Brighton, meanwhile, have already advanced through one demanding away cup match and will be seeking an immediate response to losing at Liverpool. With City scoring regularly at home and Brighton carrying a substantial away goals average, there is a credible case for another match with several goals, even if their latest meeting was more restrained.

Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion prediction from BetMines: Over 2.5 goals with 73% probability.