Manchester City head into the last Boxing Day fixture not in the best mood. Guardiola’s players have dropped points twice in the three league fixtures held since December 27, 2025. In a title race, such profligacy will not lead to anything good. Given the growing but not catastrophic gap to Arsenal, City cannot set any objective for the upcoming clash at the Etihad other than taking all three points. Interestingly, last year’s Boxing Day, which fell during the club’s crisis period, was luckier and saw only one loss of points by the Mancunian players. Brighton had a disappointing end to 2025. In recent seasons the Seagulls have earned a reputation as a serious opponent capable of competing with any of England’s top clubs. However, December as a whole is something fans of the club would gladly wipe from their memories. Over six league games in the month, the Seagulls collected three of the eighteen possible points. In the first meeting of the season, Brighton beat Manchester City 2-1, but in their current form they are not ready to compete for points against such a serious opponent. Bookmakers have made the home side the favourites for the upcoming fixture, offering odds of 1.40 on their victory. Manchester City have already played two matches in January. In the first, the Citizens visited Sunderland, where statistically they performed better than the Black Cats but could not claim the win – 0:0. The previous matchday nearly delivered a Manchester City victory, but 'almost' in this case costs two points. Guardiola’s team allowed Chelsea, short-handed after the sacking of Mareski, to level the score in the 90+4th minute at the Etihad. Before the next league game, Manchester City remain in second place, but the gap to Arsenal has grown again and now stands at six points. Brighton closed November and started January with wins. However, all that happened in December is something every fan of this club would gladly wipe from their memory. In six league games during the month the Seagulls collected three of the eighteen possible points. In the first leg Brighton defeated Manchester City 2-1, but in current form they are not ready to fight for points against such a serious opponent.