Manchester United vs. Brighton Hove & Albion Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW9)
Two mid-table clubs with European aspirations will test their mettle Saturday at Old Trafford when Manchester United host Brighton Hove & Albion.
United pulled off a dramatic win over Liverpool at Anfield last time out. Now the Red Devils have the chance to show that win was more than a fluke as they return home to host a tough Brighton side.
Brighton are off to an impressive start this season with just two losses across their first 10 competitive fixtures in all competitions. The Seagulls have taken just three points from four Premier League away fixtures to begin the campaign.
Premier League Player News & Updates
Manchester United vs. Brighton Head-to-Head Record
Manchester United and Brighton have met just 35 times, dating back to 1909 when United earned a 1-0 victory over Brighton in a First Round FA Cup matchup.
The Red Devils lead the all-time series, winning 21 times and drawing on five occasions.
More recently, Brighton dominated United, winning six of the last seven Premier League meetings.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Which Brighton player's 2018 goal secured the Seagulls' first top-flight win over Manchester United since 1982?
Gameweek 7 Trivia: Which three Liverpool players netted a brace in their famous 7-0 victory over Manchester United in March of 2023?
Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, and Mohamed Salah
Betting Odds and Predictions for Manchester United vs. Brighton Match
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: MUN +105 Draw +280, BHA +235
FanDuel: MUN +100 Draw +270, BHA +230
BetMGM: MUN +100 Draw +275, BHA +240
Bet365: MUN +100 Draw +280, BHA +240
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RECENT FORM
Manchester United (WWLWL) have rattled off wins in four of six league fixtures after a demoralizing EFL Cup defeat to EFL League Two's Grimsby Town.
Brighton Hove & Albion (WDWWD) are unbeaten across their last five fixtures (all competitions) and have averaged 2.8 goals per match across the unblemished stretch.
FORMATIONS
Manchester United are commonly lined up in the 3-4-2-1 shape that has defined Amorim's approach throughout his career. United have successfully stretched teams with their width and attacked centrally in their victories.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has imposed a 4-2-3-1 formation on the Seagulls squad. The formation leaves the possibility of transforming into a back five when out of possession and a 4-4-2 when in possession. Look for Hurzeler's front line to pressure United's central defenders and goalkeeper when possession is lost.
LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Manchester United Injury News & Lineup Notes
The Red Devils enter the fixture at near full-strength with just two notable injuries across their backline.
Casemiro is a question mark for the fixture after being forced off due to injury in United's victory over Liverpool. If the holding-midfielder is not deemed fit for the fixture expect Manuel Ugarte to assume his role in the double-pivot.
Lisandro Martinez (knee) is progressing in his recovery from a significant ACL injury suffered in February 2024. Sunday's clash will come too soon for the veteran, but look for Martinez to resume training in the coming weeks.
Brighton Hove & Albion Injury News & Lineup Notes
Hurzeler's starting XI is bound to be determined by how many of his key players have recovered in the mid-week.
Diego Gomez (hip), Brajan Gruda (knee), Kaoru Mitoma (ankle) and Joel Veltman (calf) are each a question mark for the fixture.
Gomez is the most likely to feature Saturday as he was pictured in full training Wednesday with the first team. Gruda was left out of the Seagulls' win over Newcastle after suffering an injury while on international duty, and Joel Veltman was left out of Brighton's last two league fixtures. Both have not been regular members of the starting XI but will impact the bench.
Mitoma has missed Brighton's last two fixtures versus Newcastle and Wolverhampton and would be the most consequential loss for Hurzeler if he were not able to play at Old Trafford. In Mitoma's potential absence, look for Ferdi Kadioglu to deputize in the wide-midfield role while Maxim De Cuyper slots in at left full-back.
Jack Hinshelwood (ankle), Solomon March (knee) and Adam Webster (knee) are considered long-term absences without a timetable for their respective returns.
KEY MATCHUPS
Danny Welbeck versus Harry Maguire
Welbeck's direct style of play and Maguire's physical prowess make for a an old-school, physical center forward against center defender showdown.
With Maguire expected to feature in the center of United's back-three and Welbeck likely to spearhead the high-energy Brighton press, the pairing are likely to be closing one another down throughout the 90 minutes. In nine Brighton appearances (eight starts) versus United, Welbeck has scored three goals and assisted once.
Carlos Baleba versus Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes' creative license to free-roam the pitch in an effort to create varied passing angles creates a unique chore for opposing defenses. Baleba is considered one of the most promising young midfield talents in European football and was the subject of interest form the Red Devils during the summer transfer window.
Baleba's ability to squeeze space around Fernandes will be the main way Brighton holds United's attack at-bay, if he can slowdown United's maestro.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Bryan Mbeumo is likely to play through the right attacking channels, lining the veteran up for an opportunity to play off the Brighton left full-back (either Kadioglu or De Cuyper). Mbeumo has assisted once and scored once over his last two appearances (two starts). I back the attacker who scored 20 Premier League goals last season to manage a goal contribution at Old Trafford as United's pragmatic overlapping and underlapping runs cause confusion in the depleted Brighton defensive ranks.
PREDICTED RESULT
Manchester United 2 - Brighton Hove & Albion 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Manchester United: Nov. 1 at Nottingham Forest
Brighton: Nov. 1 vs. Leeds United
