Goalkeeper decision, Foden recall - How Man City should line up against Brighton

City make the long trip to Brighton on Sunday and Pep Guardiola has some decisions to make

Manchester City travel to the South Coast to take on Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday as they look to return to winning ways in the Premier League.

City fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Tottenham at home last Saturday as goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha goals condemned Pep Guardiola's side at the Etihad Stadium.

They now make the long trip to the Amex Stadium looking to get back on track and Guardiola has some key decisions to make when it comes to naming his starting XI.

James Trafford came under fire for his error in the defeat to Spurs and who starts in goal is set to dominate the agenda.

With that in mind, our writers have picked how they would like to see City line up in Sussex.

Simon Bajkowski

For all the mud slung at Bernardo Silva last season (and still continues to be, actually), Saturday's defeat at Tottenham felt like a valuable lesson in his continuing importance to the side. Without his glue to hold everyone together, nothing City tried stuck against Tottenham and they looked better once he came on in the second half.

Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders have to continue so it feels like that midfield is set with Rayan Cherki returning to the bench. Oscar Bobb has been City's most consistent winger and so should keep his place behind Erling Haaland.

On the opposite flank, as long as he is fit enough it feels like Phil Foden's time to step in. Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush have each started a game on the left and neither has particularly impressed, while Savinho remains injured despite his move to Spurs being killed.

In defence, Trafford has to start if there is no change in Ederson's situation and there's a decent argument to start the same back five from the opening two weeks of the season. Matheus Nunes could come back in perhaps but the more consistency City can have in their defensive ranks the more organised they should look on it.

Simon's starting XI: Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri, Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders, Bobb, Foden, Haaland

Tyrone Marshall

You have to go with Trafford in goal given we've no idea at the time of writing who else will be available. Ederson and Ortega could both leave and the situation is changeable, so Trafford is the one guarantee.

It feels like the defence picks itself. Lewis has done enough to keep his place ahead of Nunes, while Ait-Nouri is fit to continue on the left. With Gvardiol still absent it is Stones who partners Dias.

Gonzalez also keep his place, with Rodri not yet ready to start, Kovacic injured and Gundogan likely to be on his way out. Reijnders should start and Silva can return as captain. Cherki is showing plenty of promise but a lot of that is from the bench at the moment.

Bobb hasn't done much wrong but I would bring Foden in on the right, with Doku on the left, and Haaland through the middle. Bobb, Cherki and Marmoush are excellent options off the bench.

Tyrone's starting XI: Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Silva, Foden, Doku, Haaland

Sean McCormick

The goalkeeper situation has dominated the pre-match chat but while speculation continues to persist over Ederson's future, the decision should be pretty simple.

Until it becomes clear whether the Brazilian international is going to be a City player or a Galatasaray player next month, Trafford should continue in the starting XI as he continues his development in the Premier League.

The back four of Rico Lewis, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Rayan Ait-Nouri should continue, given the speculation surrounding the futures of Nathan Ake and Manu Akanji.

If Rodri is fit enough to play for Spain next week, he should be fit enough to start for City and I would like to see him alongside Tijjani Reijnders in the middle of midfield.

Bernardo Silva should come back into the team for Oscar Bobb as his experience could be key in a difficult game away from home. Rayan Cherki should be given another chance from the start and Omar Marmoush should continue on the left.

Erling Haaland remains the first name on the teamsheet and should lead the line up front.

Sean's starting XI: Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Reijnders; Silva, Cherki, Marmoush; Haaland