Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca expects another difficult challenge against Brighton this weekend, with the two sides set to meet again just days after an intense cup encounter.

EFL Cup holders City booked their place in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, defeating Brighton on penalties after twice coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Both managers, Maresca and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, are expected to restore their strongest line-ups when the teams face each other in the Premier League at the Etihad on Saturday, having made 16 changes between them for the midweek fixture.

City sit level on points with defending champions Arsenal at the top of the table, while third-placed Brighton are only five points behind the leading pair.

Maresca praised Brighton’s recent form and attacking threat, warning that his team should prepare for another demanding contest.

“They are in a brilliant moment. They are winning games, they are scoring goals. They are scoring many goals every game — three, four, five goals a game,” Maresca said.

“I’ve watched all their Premier League games since we started, and from the first day — against Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Liverpool — they have always played on the front foot and used a man-to-man approach.

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, and they are going to be exactly the same on Saturday,” he added.

Brighton took the lead in the 30th minute when Malick Yalcouye redirected Georginio Rutter’s effort past Geronimo Rulli from close range.

Manchester City responded 20 minutes later, with Mateo Kovacic producing an impressive 25-yard strike that curled into the far corner to level the score.

Rutter restored Brighton’s advantage just two minutes into the second half, finishing Jaouen Hadjam’s cut-back.

However, City fought back again in the 72nd minute when Vitor Reis got a deflection on Rayan Cherki’s free-kick to make it 2-2.

Kovacic saw his penalty saved by Jason Steele during the shootout, but Rulli proved decisive at the other end, stopping efforts from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to secure City’s place in the quarter-finals.

Manchester City’s campaign continues amid uncertainty surrounding the club’s financial case, after they were reportedly found guilty last month of more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations.

City have appealed the decision and continue to deny any wrongdoing, with the possibility of significant sanctions hanging over the club if the verdict is upheld.

No punishment has been announced so far. Maresca, who has repeatedly expressed confidence in the club’s leadership, remains focused on results on the pitch. City have also been drawn at home against third-tier Bradford City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

“It’s a different competition, but the ambition has to be the same,” Maresca said.

The Italian took charge after Pep Guardiola stepped down at the end of last season, bringing an end to a trophy-filled decade at the Etihad Stadium.

“This is a new project with new players and a new manager. It started three months ago,” Maresca added.

“We need to do our business. That is winning games, and at the moment, we are doing that.”