Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Manchester United hope to return to winning ways for their first Premier League match back from the international break against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The hosts hold a 25-point advantage over 16th-placed Brighton in second-place in the Premier League. Victory on Sunday would move them to within 14 points of runaway leaders Manchester City, and with a game in hand.
That, along with the return of the Europa League, should leave United all fired-up for a fixture that has seen 23% of the goals scored come from the penalty spot (5/22). No other fixture in the Premier League, in fact, has seen a higher ratio scored from the spot.
Manchester United Form & Stats
Questions were raised of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Leicester City last time out. The Norwegian blamed fatigue from the congested schedule. But while that’s true to an extent, his lack of silverware is a worry. United are now at risk of going a fourth consecutive season without a trophy, and Solskjaer must prove why he deserves a new contract starting with Brighton on Sunday.
The Red Devils boast a sound record in this fixture, having won the last five meetings in all competitions. They’ve even scored three goals in each of their last four clashes with Brighton, with three of them away from home.
It’s also worth pointing out United have kept clean sheets in their last four Premier League matches. Keeping another blank this weekend would make it five in a row, something they haven’t achieved since August 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, has an impressive record against Brighton. The Portuguese also netted a decisive injury-time penalty in the last Premier League meeting between these two clubs in September, which ended 3-2 in United’s favor.
Key Team Stats
- On a 5-match winning streak against Brighton in all competitions, scoring 3 goals in each of the last four.
- Kept a clean sheet in their last 4 league games.
- All 4 of their league defeats have come at Old Trafford.
- Bruno Fernandes has made 4 goal contributions in 2 league games against Brighton (3 goals, 1 assist) and scored a match-winner 7 times this season.
- Scored a joint-best record of 8 penalties alongside Leicester City.
Brighton & Hove Albion Form & Stats
Back-to-back victories over Southampton and Newcastle moved Brighton six points clear of the relegation zone. They’re now gunning for three successive wins in the Premier League games for the first time since October 2018. No pressure, right?
Interestingly, Graham Potter’s men have fared better on the road than at home this season. Only five defeats have come in 14 away games so far (W5 D4), leaving them with the league’s 12th-best overall record. Although they have never won at Old Trafford in any of their previous 12 visits (D2 L10).
Despite making 375 shots so far this season, only 30.4% of them have been on target. Brighton have scored just 32 goals as a result, despite their xG stats suggesting the visitors should have had 46 goals instead. Neal Maupay, who is the club’s top-scorer on eight goals, and former United striker Danny Welbeck will likely lead the attack at Old Trafford.
Key Team Stats
- Aiming for 3 consecutive league wins for the first time since October 2018.
- Won 3 of their last 5 away league games (D1 L1).
- Winless in each of their last 12 visits to Old Trafford (D2 L10).
- Danny Welbeck has scored 3 goals in 7 games against Manchester United.
- Scored 5 penalties this season.
Team News
Manchester United
Out: Juan Mata, Phil Jones.
Doubts: Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood, Victor Lindelof.
Brighton
Out: Florin Andone, Solly March, Tariq Lamptey, Adam Webster.
Doubts: Aaron Connolly.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Scorers in Premier League
Head-To-Head Record (Premier League)
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Premier League.
Betting Tips
More Odds
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