After a controversy-filled game last weekend, Brighton and Manchester United will battle it out once again in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Just four days after meeting in the Premier League, Brighton and Manchester United will once again have a go at themselves. This time, it’s in the EFL Cup.
The Seagulls wasted a number of chances and must still be wondering how they lost that match 3-2 at the weekend. However, they will be eager to exact revenge when they host the Red Devils again.
Saturday’s Premier League clash showed Brighton were able to create plenty of chances against their opponents. On a good day, they should have taken all three points. They hit the Red Devils’ woodwork on five separate occasions and were awarded a penalty that was overturned after a VAR review. It turned worse for them at the dead of the game. The Seagulls conceded a penalty after another review in stoppage time that gave United victory in the 100th minute. A bitter pill to swallow based on their performance.
The League Cup gives Brighton an immediate chance for revenge. With United likely to make changes, they can take their chance to grab a win in this ‘rematch’.
Brighton Form and Stats
Brighton will have some confidence going into this game provided they can mirror their performance from the weekend. The Seagulls might have lost two of their three league games so far but they can take solace in the fact that they lost to the ‘big guns’. As was the case with United, their 3-1 opening loss to Chelsea didn’t reflect the scoreline at all.
Between those results, Brighton won three games on the bounce by an aggregate score-line of 9-0 across all competitions. The wins include EFL Cup victories over Portsmouth and Preston North End to reach this stage for the first time since the 2014/15 season.
The Seagulls have only made it further than the fourth round of this competition once in their history (1978/79 season). They will fancy their chances of making it a second time tonight.
Key Team Stats
- Have scored at least two goals in their last four games (all competitions).
- Have lost their last five League Cup meetings with Premier League opponents. Their last victory came against Sunderland in August 2011.
- Over 2.5 goals in four out of their five games in all competitions.
- Have lost their last four meetings against Manchester United (all competitions).
Manchester United Form and Stats
Manchester United are yet to fully convince this season. From a disappointing 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace on opening day, they recorded a controversial win over Brighton.
In between, the Red Devils secured a 3-0 win over Championship side Luton Town and that barely came as a surprise.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is aware his side have not been up to their best and even admitted they were ‘lucky’ against Brighton at the weekend.
For this match, United have no choice but to rotate their squad as they have a crunch clash against Tottenham on Sunday.
Brighton also rested key players in their previous EFL games but it remains to be seen how Graham Potter reacts to this one. On paper, United should win regardless but it all depends on if Brighton decide to field a strong XI and they go ahead to ‘rotate’ players.
Key Team Stats
- Have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four League Cup games.
- Have scored at least a goal in all of their last 16 League Cup games.
- Over 2.5 goals in all of their three games this season (all competitions).
- Unbeaten in their last 15 away games across all competitions.
- Unbeaten against Brighton in their last four encounters (all competitions).
Team News
Brighton:
Brighton are still without the suspended Yves Bissouma. Elsewhere, Jose Izquierdo and Florin Andone remain on the sidelines due to injury.
Potter made a host of changes in the last round and could rotate heavily again. However, the standard of the opposition and their performance on Saturday could see a few regulars retain their place in the lineup.
Manchester United: Donny van de Beek was on the bench against Brighton last weekend. He is expected to start in this one.
Further changes are expected too as Solskjaer looks to keep his squad fresh. The likes of Odion Ighalo, Jesse Lingard, Eric Bailly and Juan Mata are among those in contention to start for United.
Dean Henderson is also expected to take the gloves from David de Gea following his clean sheet at Luton last week.
Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones are United’s only injury absentees.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
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