Brighton & Hove Albion meet Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, London, with a spot in 2022-23 FA Cup Final at stake.
Victory would see Brighton reach the Final for just the second time in their history – having coincidentally lost to Utd in the 1983 Final following a replay.
A win meanwhile would see Man Utd qualify for a record-equalling 21st appearance in a FA Cup Final, having last reached the showpiece event in 2018 but lost to Chelsea on that occasion.
Team News
Evan Ferguson is unlikely to feature for Brighton after he suffered an ankle injury during their comeback win at Chelsea last weekend.
Joel Veltman is definitely ruled out of this semi-final with a hamstring injury after he also limped off at Stamford Bridge.
Levi Colwill could return in central defence after he was ineligible for last weekend’s trip to Chelsea, per rules not permitting loan players to face their parent club.
Jason Steele (knock) is doubtful but Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder (both knee), Jeremy Sarmiento (foot) and Adam Lallana (hamstring) remain absent.
Man Utd could welcome Scott McTominay back after he was absent in recent games with a knock.
Tom Heaton, Alejandro Garnacho (both ankle), Phil Jones, Donny van de Beek (both knee), Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane (both foot) and Mason Greenwood (personal) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Brighton face Man Utd at Wembley Stadium, London in a 4:30pm BST kick-off on Sunday 23 April, live on BBC One in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brighton are yet to beat Man Utd in seven meetings across five FA Cup ties (D2, L5).
- Man Utd have won just one of their two previous FA Cup meetings against Brighton played at Wembley (W1, D1) – drawing 2-2 in 1982-83 Final then won the replay 4-0 five days later.
- Brighton have failed to score in any of their five previous FA Cup defeats against Utd.
- Ferguson has scored three goals in Brighton’s last two FA Cup matches (W2), as he clinched a Fifth Round winner at Stoke then scored twice in 5-0 Quarter-Final win over Grimsby.
- Utd have won all four of their FA Cup matches this season by 3-1 result (W4).
Prediction
Given their poor FA Cup record against Man Utd, it is easy to write Brighton off but nobody should forget that this squad have already beaten Utd in the league this season – plus have come from behind to eliminate Arsenal and Liverpool across both cup competitions.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls have also had the perfect mini trial run for this difficult fixture after having faced Tottenham and Chelsea on the road in their last two league games, which should provide strong belief especially after two dominant performances despite weak end product at times.
Now if they can take their experiences across both games and can apply themselves here with better game management and defending, I genuinely believe that they can spring another shock if they can put nerves aside and play their best football.
Man Utd meanwhile saw their treble dreams implode in a defensively shambolic display away to Sevilla on Thursday evening, which probably will see them come out looking to quickly atone for that performance with an aggressive high intensity attack.
Utd however do already know how to win at Wembley this season after defeating Newcastle in the Carabao Cup Final, which will give them some belief but they are facing an in-form team this time round who’ve already beaten them this season so can’t afford to underestimate Brighton.
My instinct though is that Utd’s hectic fixture schedule is certainly catching up with them and if Brighton can physically wear the Red Devils out, I can see the Seagulls claiming another cupset even if have to do it in extra time.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Manchester United
Result: Brighton 0-0 Manchester United (Man Utd win 7-6 on penalties!!)
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