Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Man Citypublished at 11:00 BST 31 August
11:00 BST 31 August
Which Manchester City side will we see? I said last week on Football Focus and Final Score that the goalkeepeing situation with James Trafford worries the life out of me. I don't think he should be playing ahead of Ederson, even if there is talk of Ederson leaving.
Brighton should've won their first game against Fulham - they didn't and then they lost to Everton despite having a fair few chances.
This match could be anything. I think we'll find out a lot about Manchester City and whether they can be challengers because Brighton away is a difficult fixture.
Last season I backed City on so many occasions saying they'd bounce back. I got so many of the predictions wrong after they did the exact opposite and stayed on their bad run.
There's a strong chance I'll be wrong again, wouldn't be the first time, but I'm going to revert back to last season's technique and say City will pinch this.
Brighton v Man City: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:07 BST 30 August
12:07 BST 30 August
Tom White BBC Sport
Brighton host Manchester City on the south coast this Sunday. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the fixture's key themes.
Brighton made 11 changes for their Carabao Cup match against Oxford United in midweek, prompting an instant change in fortune in front of goal. The Seagulls, who had managed just one goal from their opening two games of the Premier League campaign despite an xG of 3.91, put six past the Championship side, including debut goals for trio Olivier Boscagli, Stefanos Tzimas and Tom Watson.
Fabian Hurzeler's side host Manchester City hoping to avoid failing to win their opening three games of a league season for the first time since their debut Premier League campaign in 2017-18. Hurzeler will take encouragement from his side's record against City in 2024-25, winning this fixture 2-1 in November before a 2-2 draw in Manchester last March.
The German is looking to become just the second manager, after Ronald Koeman, to be undefeated against Pep Guardiola in three top-flight matches.
City's 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham last weekend was a stark reminder that Guardiola still has a team in transition. He stated afterwards that his side needed "more composure with the ball" to keep improving.
One problem he doesn't have is in the striker department. Erling Haaland is due to make his 100th Premier League appearance this weekend and has been more prolific than any other player to reach that milestone. His tally of 87 goals is one more than West Bromwich Albion managed in their first 100 Premier League games.
Manchester City's recent away league form is strong – they are unbeaten in their past five on the road, without conceding a goal. On Sunday, they can set a club record of six consecutive away clean sheets in the league.
Guardiola on Trafford, transfer activity and Brightonpublished at 14:16 BST 29 August
14:16 BST 29 August
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Brighton at Amex Stadium (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Guardiola confirmed that Rayan Ait-Nouri is available for selection and there are no other fresh injury concerns. He "hopes" to have Savinho back after the international break.
On transfer activity and Savinho's future: "When the transfer window closes, then you can ask me about that. Don't ask me about rumours and potential arrivals. Next week. Always have been [happy with the squad size]."
Guardiola said he is not the kind of "manager to complain much about the squad" and "it is what it is and the club is doing the best". He also stated that he recognised how much the players tried last season to "do well".
On goalkeeper James Trafford's morale: "Always have the arm around their shoulders - they don't believe how we take care of them. Impossible to be better. What happened doesn't belong just to James in the second goal. He is a strong man and a huge personality. We are here to help them, no doubt about that."
Guardiola revealed he has yet to decide who will start in goal against Brighton, adding that the decision will be made on Saturday because he is not scheduled to hold a news conference.
On inconsistency in performances: "It is one game at a time. The season has just started and it's only been two games - and just with two games, I have a feeling that we will have a good season. I know the people maybe don't believe it."
On Brighton: "Really good team - they proved it last season. They have been a really good team for a long time."
The City manager confirmed he has "spoken with Rodri" following the midfielder's call-up to the Spain squad for the upcoming international break, amid concerns over managing his minutes and gradually easing him back in.
Guardiola said he is happy with the "honours of having the most games" as a visiting manager at the Bernabeu after being drawn against Real Madrid once again in the Champions League.
On also facing Kevin de Bruyne and Leroy Sane in the group phase of the competition: "I am really pleased that they can come back here and, of course, we have to beat the two teams - Napoli and Galatasaray. But it is nice to bring them back, and we can give a great welcome to them because they deserve it."
Who got the luck of the Champions League draw?published at 19:26 BST 28 August
19:26 BST 28 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Based on the average Uefa coefficient of their opponents, PSV Eindhoven have been handed the toughest draw in the league phase. Not only do they face the champions of England, Germany and Italy – Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Napoli – but they will also play two of the top three seeds from Pot 2 in Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid.
Manchester City and Liverpool have also been given a fairly tough gauntlet of games, with both sides drawn against 15-time winners Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola's side will also play Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli as well as two of the top seeds from Pot 4 in Galatasaray and Monaco. Arne Slot's side will play last year's finalists Inter and Atletico Madrid.
Atalanta will likely be the happiest club following the draw after being given the most favourable fixtures. While they do have to face champions Paris St-Germain and Club World Cup champions Chelsea, they were also drawn against the two lowest seeds in Pot 2 – Eintracht Frankfurt and Club Brugge – as well as two of the three lowest seeds in Pot 3 in Slavia Prague and Marseille.
Both north London clubs should also be fairly happy with the draw. While they do have to play Bayern Munich, Inter and Atletico Madrid, Arsenal were otherwise drawn against low-seeded teams in Pots 2, 3 and 4, including Celtic's Kazakh conquerors Kairat Almaty. Tottenham also received favourable draws in terms of opponents from Pots 2 and 3, avoiding the likes of Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid and Napoli.
'Another set of intriguing ties for Citypublished at 18:05 BST 28 August
18:05 BST 28 August
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City suffered a disappointing Champions League campaign last season when they were knocked out in the play-off round by Real Madrid.
And those two sides just cannot keep away from each other in this competition.
For the fifth consecutive campaign, City will travel to the Bernabeu to face the European giants, as well as hosting Borussia Dortmund from pot one.
And it won't be a straightforward passage to finish in the top eight of the group phase and go straight through to the last-16.
City have home games against Erik ten Hag's Bayer Leverkusen, Serie A champions Napoli, which will see Kevin de Bruyne return to the Etihad, and last season's Turkish league winners Galatasaray.
On the road, Pep Guardiola's men head to Villarreal, Bodo/Glimt and Monaco, who have brought in the likes of Paul Pogba, Eric Dier and Ansu Fati during the summer.
The new format has thrown up another set of intriguing ties for City and they will have their work cut out in order to progress.
Man City learn Champions League opponentspublished at 17:49 BST 28 August
17:49 BST 28 August
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City's Champions League draw is complete and Pep Guardiola's side now know which eight clubs they will meet in the 36-team league format, which was used for the first time last season.
The Champions League fixture list with match dates and kick-off times will be published no later than Saturday, 30 August.
City will face:
Borussia Dortmund (h)
Real Madrid (a)
Bayer Leverkusen (h)
Villarreal (a)
Napoli (h)
Bodo/Glimt (a)
Galatasaray (h)
Monaco (a)
Champions League group phase dates:
Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025
Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025
Matchday 3: 21-22 October 2025
Matchday 4: 4-5 November 2025
Matchday 5: 2-26 November 2025
Matchday 6: 9-10 December 2025
Matchday 7: 20-21 January 2026
Matchday 8: 28 January 2026
Champions League knockout stage dates:
Knockout phase play-offs: 17-18 and 24-25 February 2026
Watch and follow Champions League draw livepublished at 16:49 BST 28 August
16:49 BST 28 August
Image source, Getty Images
There are six Premier League teams in this season's Champions League.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham are about to find out who they will face in the league phase of the 2025-26 competition.
Savinho to stay at Man City amid Spurs interestpublished at 12:42 BST 28 August
12:42 BST 28 August
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It may be a busy time of outgoings at Manchester City before Monday's transfer deadline, with boss Pep Guardiola openly stating he wants to work with a smaller group of players.
Defender Manuel Akanji is of interest to Galatasaray, Crystal Palace and others, with talks taking place around selling the Swiss international - City are understood to want £15m for the 30-year-old.
Goalkeeper Ederson is also wanted by the Turkish champions but as it stands, there has been no change to the situation.
Sources close to Stefan Ortega have told BBC Sport they are looking at solutions for the German goalkeeper, but an exit is not yet close.
Ilkay Gundogan is another that could depart in the next few days after being left out of the defeat by Tottenham last Saturday and the club would explore sanctioning a sale.
However, one player who will remain at Etihad Stadium beyond the transfer window is winger Savinho.
Tottenham had reached out for transfer talks around the Brazilian, but City have maintained throughout that he is not for sale.
Sources have told BBC Sport the hierarchy at City have now informed counterparts at Spurs that they will not entertain any offers in this window, which is another blow to Thomas Frank's plans after missing out on Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal.
Gossip: Donnarumma hopes for Man City movepublished at 08:16 BST 28 August
08:16 BST 28 August
Paris St-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has not given up hope of a move before the deadline with Manchester City the most viable option for the 26-year-old Italian - if Brazil goalkeeper Ederson leaves the Premier League club. (Sky Sports), external
There are no talks ongoing between Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr and Manchester City for Ederson, but Galatasaray remain keen on the 32-year-old keeper. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Meanwhile, Manchester City informed Tottenham on Wednesday they have no intention to let 21-year-old Brazil winger Savinho leave the Etihad Stadium this summer, even for a fee above £60m. (Fabrizio Romano), external
When is the Champions League draw and how does it work?published at 18:32 BST 27 August
18:32 BST 27 August
The draw for the league phase of the 2025-26 Champions League will take place on Thursday in Monaco.
It will start at 17:00 BST and will follow the same procedure as the 2024-25 campaign - the first season where the 36-team league phase format took place.
The draw is made up of 27 teams that qualified via league positions, the winners of last season's Champions League and Europa League, and the seven teams that progressed out of qualifying.
This season, there are six English sides involved - Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle courtesy of finishing in the Premier League top five, and Tottenham after winning the Europa League.
The teams are split into four pots based on their individual Uefa club coefficient ranking.
Starting with pot one, each team will be drawn out individually. They will then be selected eight opponents via Uefa's automated software.
A team will play eight games in total, including two teams from each pot - one home and one away.
No group-stage fixtures can be played against teams from the same country, nor more than two against teams from the another country.
This procedure will continue until the fixtures for all 36 teams have been decided.
The Champions League fixture list with match dates and kick-off times will be published no later than Saturday, 30 August.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
Can new faces take City back to top?published at 09:17 BST 27 August
09:17 BST 27 August
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
I was sitting in the BBC TV studios in Salford, near Manchester, on Wednesday night, commenting on the Champions League qualifiers.
At one point a Celtic player manipulated an attacking situation and for a brief moment, a defence splitting through-ball was on. But instead of playing his team mate in for a one-on-one with the keeper, he didn't see the fleeting gap and the chance was gone.
I thought, this is the difference between the top creatives and those at a level just below. Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Mo Salah and their like always see that pass and 95% of the time, they deliver it perfectly.
It happened again on Saturday afternoon but this time I was more surprised. Erling Haaland made one of his trademark runs finally losing his marker, and that through ball was on. He makes dozens of these runs every match in the hope that he gets free once or twice. His problem was that Kevin de Bruyne has departed and it wasn't Phil Foden on the ball. The pass wasn't played and the chance was gone in a heartbeat.
Haaland was fuming and I am sure Pep was disappointed. The new generation he has brought in such as Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki and Nico Gonzalez are fine players but are they going to reach the world class levels of their predecessors?
If they do not see those types of passes as a matter of course, they could fall short of the admittedly stellar levels that are demanded at City.
Until now I thought it was a matter of when City get back to the very top. Actually, it is still more of an if...
'Life without Ederson could be far more complex'published at 15:56 BST 26 August
15:56 BST 26 August
Freddie Pye Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
It is a common feeling in football that too often, you do not truly appreciate what you have until it has gone. For Manchester City, there is no doubt in many minds that such an example might be the integral component that is Ederson.
Some supporters have been quick to dismiss of the Brazilian goalkeeper - who has been Pep Guardiola's number one choice between the sticks since 2017 - when rumours first emerged of Saudi Arabian interest in 2024, and Galatasaray interest earlier this summer.
While Ederson's shot-stopping has been called in question increasingly over the last two seasons, Guardiola has continued to stand by the 32-year-old. Although, with the lure of a fresh challenge and opportunity with the Turkish champions, a change may be on the cards between the posts.
And with just a week remaining in the summer transfer window, and talks believed to be advancing between Galatasaray and Manchester City for Ederson, the opening two contests in the Premier League have offered a first glimpse into what life without the Brazil international may look like.
After a hugely encouraging start on the road at Wolves on matchday one, James Trafford retained his place against Tottenham, but his fortunes were far less favourable as the 22-year-old conceded twice and saw his performance littered with individual errors, lapses of concentration, and some less-than-convincing shot-stopping.
Brennan Johnson's opener brushed the hand of Trafford before finding the back of the net, while it was the Manchester City Academy graduate's poor short-pass into Nico Gonzalez that saw Tottenham dispossess Guardiola's side inside their own penalty area to score a second before half-time.
There remains no doubt that Trafford is a goalkeeper with remarkable promise and talent, and he certainly has a future at the Etihad Stadium - but perhaps in time, and with a bit of patience needed. That time to settle would ease any pressure of holding down the number one position under Guardiola immediately.
And while there also remains talk of interest in Paris St-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma, the weekend's showing from Manchester City should be a firm reminder to supporters that life without Ederson could be far more complex and difficult to transition through than first imagined.
Could it be a busy few days for Man City?published at 15:04 BST 26 August
15:04 BST 26 August
Shamoon Hafez Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City have four senior goalkeepers on their books, with summer signing James Trafford starting the two Premier League games so far.
The 22-year-old was unconvincing in Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham, with Ederson watching from the substitutes' bench.
Like Manuel Akanji, the Brazil international has been of heavy interest to Galatasaray, but no deal has yet been agreed between the two clubs.
Ederson would need to leave if City were to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain, but club sources have denied personal terms have been agreed with the Italy number one.
There is an expectation that Stefan Ortega will leave the club by Monday's deadline, but is it understood the German is not close to an exit at this stage.
Meanwhile, could midfielder Ilkay Gundogan - who was left out of the Spurs game for tactical reasons - be another who departs? City are likely to explore any offers that may come in for the 34-year-old.
Manager Pep Guardiola has said Savinho is out injured at the moment, and it is not known whether Spurs and City officials had discussions over the winger on Saturday, having held talks earlier in the transfer window.
What is known is that City do not want to sell the Brazilian, and it would need a significant offer to consider doing so.