Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Manchester United to the AMEX Stadium in a crucial clash for the Red Devils’ top-four hopes.
Victory would see Brighton stay ninth in the table, whilst Man Utd will stay sixth with a win but move to within two points of fourth-placed Arsenal in the top-four race.
Team News
Enock Mwepu is ruled out for Brighton with a groin injury.
Jeremy Sarmiento (hamstring) and Jakub Moder (knee) remain absent.
Man Utd could welcome Harry Maguire back into contention after he missed their last two matches with a knee injury.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (knock) is also in contention whilst Eric Bailly (back) is a doubt but Luke Shaw (leg), Paul Pogba (calf), Jadon Sancho (illness) and Mason Greenwood (personal) remain ruled out.
Marcus Rashford is ruled out after suffering bronchitis.
Stat Attack
- Brighton have lost each of their last six league meetings against Man Utd (L6).
- Man Utd have won two of four previous Premier League trips to the Amex Stadium (W2, L2).
- Brighton have conceded three goals in each of their last three home matches against Utd in all competitions (L3) of which they lost two matches by 3-0 results.
- Marc Cucurella has been yellow carded in each of Brighton’s last two matches.
- Three of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 18 league goals for Utd this season have been scored from the penalty spot.
Prediction
Having endured a goal drought between February-March, Brighton have certainly found a late-season bounce with eight goals in four of their last five matches, which was particularly evident in a clinical win at Wolves last weekend with great intensity from defence to attack.
Man Utd likewise were clinical in their win against Brentford but were just edged out in attack by the Bees, yet still managed to get the job done with a clean sheet despite missing Wan-Bissaka and Maguire which is encouraging coming into this match.
Now if both teams play like they did last weekend, I have a feeling that this could be a cagey match where patience will be crucial and a draw wouldn’t be too bad a result, especially for Brighton whose recent home form against Utd have been disappointing.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Manchester United
Result: Brighton 4-0 Manchester United