Manchester United’s hopes of backing up their biggest result yet under Ruben Amorim face a stern test when they host a Brighton side who’ve dominated this fixture in recent seasons.
Match News and Current Form
The seemingly never-ending cloud of negativity hanging over Manchester United was, at least temporarily, lifted by a stunning 2-1 win away at arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday. The Red Devils’ first win at Anfield in nearly a decade also made it back-to-back league victories under Amorim for the very first time, but that will very quickly be forgotten if they can’t back that up here. Form at Old Trafford of late suggests United have every chance of doing just that, as they’ve won three successive home league matches, scoring 2+ goals each time.
Brighton sit a point behind their hosts here after a 2-1 win of their own last weekend, theirs coming against Newcastle. The Seagulls are now unbeaten in four league outings (W2, D2), yet their 12-point haul at this stage is their worst since the 2020/21 season, such has been their rapid progress as a top-flight side. Their lower return stems partly from winning just one of their four league trips so far (D1, L2), and their forwards will likely need to be at their best to improve on that record as Brighton have managed just one clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League games at any venue!
Head-to-Head History
Brighton have ruled this fixture lately, winning on their last three league visits to Old Trafford. The Seagulls have won six of the last seven Premier League H2Hs at any venue (L1), double their win tally from their first 17 league matches against the Red Devils (W3, D2, L12).
Hot Stats and Streaks
United are unbeaten when scoring the opening goal this season (W4, D1).
Six of United’s last seven home league defeats saw them fail to score.
Brighton have conceded first in all four of their away league matches this season.
Brighton’s last six away league wins came by multiple-goal margins.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Bryan Mbeumo scored the opening goal in United’s win over Liverpool, and will fancy his chances of netting again here having been involved in six goals in his last four starts against Brighton (G3, A3). Former Red Devil Danny Welbeck has a habit of haunting his former side with goal involvements against them in four of the last five seasons (G3, A1), three of which came at Old Trafford.
Lisandro Martínez remains United's only injury absentee, while Brighton’s main concerns surround Brajan Gruda, Joel Veltman and Jack Hinshelwood.
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Betting Analysis
So many times a corner-turning United result has proved nothing but a false dawn, and Brighton seem perfect opponents to make history repeat themselves here so we’re backing an away win against the odds.
Author: Ryan Fisher