Manchester United vs Brighton – Match Preview & Prediction

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Manchester United aim to make it two wins against South Coast opponents in a week as they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The Red Devils come into the game on the back of a hard-fought 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton, inspired by Amad Diallo’s hat-trick. Meanwhile, Brighton enjoyed a straightforward 2-0 win against Ipswich Town.

Team News

United will be boosted by the return of Diogo Dalot, who is back from suspension after his red card in the FA Cup victory over Arsenal. His availability could allow Diallo to push further forward in attack. However, Ruben Amorim still faces a lengthy injury list, with Luke Shaw (calf), Victor Lindelof (unspecified), Jonny Evans (muscle), and Mason Mount (thigh) all ruled out.

In light of Thursday’s lacklustre showing, Amorim may rotate his squad again. Substitute stars Joshua Zirkzee and Christian Eriksen, who made a strong impact against Southampton, could earn starting spots.

For Brighton, manager Fabian Hurzeler welcomed several players back to action against Ipswich, including Georginio Rutter, Tariq Lamptey, Joao Pedro, and Yankuba Minteh. However, the Seagulls still have injury concerns, with Igor Julio (knee), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), James Milner (thigh), and Mats Wieffer (thigh) expected to miss the trip. The fitness of Evan Ferguson, Jack Hinshelwood, and new signing Diego Gomez will be assessed closer to the match. Former United striker Danny Welbeck, fresh from his Premier League return, might step in for Pedro if caution prevails.

Form Guide

Amad Diallo’s stunning hat-trick rescued Manchester United against Southampton, lifting them to 12th in the league table. The Red Devils are now closer to the top six than the relegation zone in terms of points. They are chasing a third consecutive win across all competitions, a feat they last achieved under Amorim’s predecessor in February 2024.

While recent victories against Liverpool and Arsenal showed grit, the performance against bottom-placed Southampton was far from convincing. For much of the match, United’s display lacked cohesion and urgency, exposing lingering vulnerabilities.

Brighton, on the other hand, have found form in recent weeks. Following a dominant 4-0 FA Cup victory over Norwich City, they secured a comfortable 2-0 Premier League win at Ipswich. The Seagulls remain unbeaten in their last five league games, showcasing resilience and consistency. Impressively, they have scored in all 11 of their away matches this season, making them a formidable threat on the road.

Predicted Outcome

Brighton’s attacking prowess away from home and Manchester United’s inconsistency suggest a closely contested affair. Previous Premier League encounters between these sides have never ended in a draw and we predict it will stay like that once more, with our prediction being Man United will get a 1-0 win against the Seagulls. It could finally be time for Amorim’s side to get a clean sheet for once.

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