Manchester United host Brighton & Hove Albion at Leigh Sport Village in the opening semi-final of 2022-23 Women’s FA Cup.
Victory would see either Man Utd or Brighton face the winner of Aston Villa’s semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, London, on Sunday 14 May.
Team News
Adriana Leon won’t be available for Man Utd after she completed a loan move to NWSL’s Portland Thorns earlier in the week.
Maria Thorisdottir (foot) and Lisa Naalsund (hamstring) remain absent.
Brighton will be without Dejana Stefanovic (unspecified) and Maisie Symonds (illness) whilst Guro Bergsvand and Kayleigh Green are doubtful for selection due to unspecified injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Man Utd host Brighton at Leigh Sport Village in a 5:15pm BST kick-off, with the match broadcast live on BBC Two in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd won their only previous Women’s FA Cup meeting against Brighton, prevailing 2-0 away from home in Fourth Round in February 2019.
- Brighton are playing away to Man Utd for the first time in the Women’s FA Cup, but have lost their four previous visits in all competitions without scoring (L4).
- Utd have scored 12 goals in each of their four previous home matches against Brighton, of which Leah Galton has scored four goals in three of her four home appearances vs Brighton.
- Nikita Parris has scored four goals in Utd’s three FA Cup matches this season (W3).
- Brighton have scored 14 goals without conceding in this season’s FA Cup (W3).
Prediction
Having hammered Brighton just a fortnight ago in their Women’s Super League (WSL) meeting, Man Utd are firm favourites which is only amplified by the fact that this is their first Women’s FA Cup semi-final and their form against the Seagulls overall is impressive just to add extra pressure.
Utd also have recommenced their season with wins after each international break this campaign, underlining why they will be difficult to beat come kick-off in front of a packed Leigh Sports Village because they’ve got the talent to claim a first appearance in the Women’s FA Cup Final.
Brighton however are under a new manager for the third time this season and fighting for their WSL status, so I do expect their priorities to lie elsewhere but they should be motivated by the prospect of a first Women’s FA Cup Final and revenge for their defeat last time out.
I however just can’t see the Seagulls getting anything here because Utd certainly should have too much quality for them, so it is a question of how long Brighton can hold out despite getting the new manager bounce coming into this semi-final.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 Brighton
Result: Manchester United 3-2 Brighton
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