Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler has looked back at previous experience of playing the same opponent twice in a week – and is hoping for a similar outcome this time around.

The Seagulls travel to face Manchester City in the Fourth Round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night before facing Enzo Maresca’s side at the Etihad Stadium again on Saturday, this time in the Premier League.

Back in February 2025, Albion overcame Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup before a 3-0 win in the Premier League six days later – both at the AMEX Stadium.

City challenge twice in a week

Ahead of fighting to reach the last eight of the Carabao Cup for the only the second time in the club’s history, Hurzeler reflected on the coincidental scheduling.

“We experienced it a few years ago when we played twice against Chelsea,” said the young German boss.

“It's about competing tomorrow then recovering, adjusting, adapting things, and competing again - it's really going from game to game.

“We don't focus on Saturday. We want to be the best-prepared team for Wednesday, and that's the main focus. We don't try to be distracted by the weekend game. We play a do-or-die game, so we are fully focused on this.”

'If you want to achieve something you have to compete with the best teams'

The Brighton boss also admitted the luck of the draw could have been kinder to his side, who beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the last round before they were handed another tough tie at the Etihad.

“The draws at the moment don't only help us, but if you want to achieve something you have to compete with the best teams. We had a good experience in Manchester before," he added.

"Hopefully, we can have another great night in Manchester on Wednesday, and that's what we are aiming for. Of course, we know that City may be the best team in the league at the moment. It is another tough challenge for us, but we are ready for that, and we are going there to try and get to the next round.”

Similar challenge despite managerial change

The Citizens underwent a change in the dugout over the summer as Pep Guardiola departed, replaced by former assistant manager Maresca.

And despite the change, City have made a strong start to the Premier League season and Hurzeler knows to expect a similar test to seasons gone by.

“They worked together, so you see similarities, but you also see that Maresca has his own style of football and his own principles,” the Albion boss added.

"You can't change players, so for example if you see the connection between (Jeremy) Doku and (Nico) O'Reilly on the left side that existed also during the time of Guardiola.

“They have their clear formation and their clear style of play. They are very successful. They press very intensely with man rotation, so that's definitely a change.

"Therefore, we have to be prepared for that; we not only face a good team, we also face really good individual players.”

The only previous League Cup meeting between Manchester City and Albion was in the second round in 2008-09; where after a 2-2 draw at the Withdean Stadium, the Seagulls won 5-3 on penalties.

Albion handed injury boost

And while both teams are expected to make changes from their Premier League line-ups, Albion are expected to be without both Ferdi Kadioglu and Chema Andres, who both picked up injuries in the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.

But there is good news, with both Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer in contention to returning to the squad after both suffering knee injuries – Minteh back in pre-season.

“That's a positive one, that Minteh and Wieffer will be back. Having new faces back in the group always brings new energy,” Hurzeler said talking about the injuries in the squad.

"The injured players who were out for a long time always have a point to prove. They want to get back in the team.

"You feel it from day one when they come on the pitch that they want to show they belong in the team, and that's always helpful to have this competition for places, it lifts the energy in the training sessions.

“We are all looking forward to having these players back because, before the injuries, they were big players for us.

"Of course, the team is playing very well, so it also means that the returning players have to raise their standards, but that's only positive for our culture.”