MY ACCOUNT
– Brighton have lost only one of their last seven home league matches
– Manchester United have won only one of their last four Premier League away games
– Recommended bet: Brighton to win
Manchester United got the better of Brighton in their FA Cup semi-final last month but the Red Devils required penalties at Wembley so the Seagulls can be hopeful of getting some revenge in the Premier League on home soil.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men were favourites to beat United in the capital but lost 7-6 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes, in a game which fell well short of expectations.
However, the Seagulls were 2-1 winners against United at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign and confidence should be rocking at the Amex Stadium after their 6-0 humiliation of Wolves on Saturday.
That got Brighton’s European aspirations back on track, leaving them eighth and, as of writing, four points behind Liverpool with two games in hand over the Merseyside men.
United have fourth spot in their grasp after taking 13 points from their last five league games, but defeat on the south coast would renew hope for the chasing pack.
Team news
De Zerbi was able to shuffle his pack for Saturday’s 6-0 win over Wolves, with star men Alexis Mac Allister, Kaoru Mitoma and Moises Caicedo starting as substitutes and coming on with only half an hour to go as maximum points were secured.
Expect those three to return to the starting line-up but Joel Veltman is a doubt after picking up a hamstring injury in that emphatic win.
Evan Ferguson has missed Brighton’s last three matches with an ankle injury and will have to be assessed, while Adam Lallana (thigh), Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle), Tariq Lamptey (knee) and Jakub Moder (knee) remain sidelined.
United’s defensive injuries continue with star centre-backs Raphael Varane (ankle) and Lisandro Martinez (foot) still out, while Scott McTominay (knock), Alejandro Garnacho (ankle), Tom Heaton (ankle) and Donny van de Beek (knee) are also on the treatment table.
The stats
Brighton have lost only one of their last seven home league games, taking 10 points from their last four fixtures at the Amex.
United have been inconsistent on their travels, winning only two of their last seven away games in all competitions.
The Red Devils have taken only one point from their away games at current top-seven sides, losing at Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle, Liverpool and Villa while also being held to a 2-2 draw at Tottenham.
Eighth-placed Brighton, who still have European aspirations of their own, may sense they can capitalise on those road woes.
It is worth noting that only one of United’s last 10 Premier League games saw both teams score and these two did play out a goalless draw after 120 minutes in their FA Cup semi-final.
Prediction
Brighton dominated possession in their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United and the same will be expected at the Amex, where they have enjoyed more of the ball than both Arsenal and Liverpool this season.
United’s poor away form against the Premier League’s leading lights also points to victory for Brighton, who have lost only four of their 15 home league matches.
The Red Devils have picked up only one point from their league meetings away at current top-seven outfits. They conceded seven at Liverpool, six at Manchester City, three at Aston Villa and Arsenal and twice at Newcastle and Tottenham.
Injuries to first-choice centre-backs Varane and Martinez could expose those defensive frailties so Brighton, who should be on a high after their latest 6-0 win over Wolves, can prosper.
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