Will Man United beat the surprise team from Brighton?
Four matchdays after the start of the season in the English top flight, there are already long faces at Manchester United. The Red Devils have lost two of their four league games, meaning they are already lagging behind expectations in the early stages of the season. MUFC coach Erik ten Hag is already being ticked off, and further setbacks would be unbearable in the current league situation.
Saturday’s game against Brighton is therefore not at all convenient. The Seagulls have made a strong start to the season so far and are an unpleasant opponent. This is also the opinion of the best bookmakers, who offer odds of 2.20 for a Manchester United vs Brighton bet on the hosts. In case of success of the guests, on the other hand, quotes of up to 3.00 beckon.
Brighton has already won three out of four matches in the Premier League. A big factor in their success has been the Seagulls’ offensive power. In these four matches Brighton scored 12 goals – best value in the English top flight!
It is not only the offensive power that speaks in favor of the guests, but also the recent H2h. Brighton have not lost any of their last three league games against Man United since February 2022. The Seagulls even celebrated three wins in a row against United in the Premier League last time out.
Manchester United – statistics & current form
Back to old strength: Manchester United is currently experiencing a relapse into old times. Head coach Erik ten Hag is on thin ice after his team’s poor start to the season and is now already under pressure to win. Further setbacks would be fatal for the Dutchman, as United have already lost two of their four league games this season.
Both defeats came against direct rivals such as Arsenal (1:3) and Tottenham (0:2) – and on foreign soil. At home, on the other hand, Manchester United have come through matchdays against Wolves (1-0) and Nottingham (3-2) unscathed. The home series may now come to an end against Brighton.
Last season, head coach Erik ten Hag’s team lost at home to Brighton. United lost the match 2-1. In the nine home games prior to that, Manchester United remained unbeaten against the Seagulls and even won eight of nine home H2hs during that period.
Will Man United end their negative streak against Brighton?
In the last three league duels, Man United has already lost against Brighton. Therefore, it is more than daring to place a bet on the host from Manchester in Saturday’s match between Manchester United vs. Brighton.
In the entire history of the club, Man United have only lost four league games in a row against Liverpool and Manchester City. Moreover, a defeat against Brighton would also equal Alex Ferguson’s negative start from the 1989/90 season. For the Man United coaching icon, there were three defeats on the first five matchdays of the new season back then.
If you take a look at Manchester United’s lazarette, this scenario cannot be ruled out for head coach Erik ten Hag either. The Dutchman is expected to be without a total of 11 players in the squad for the upcoming match against Brighton. The Red Devils will therefore go into Saturday’s match against the Seagulls short of replacements.
Predicted Manchester United lineup:
Manchester United (Expected lineup) 4-2-3-1
Brighton – statistics & current form
Last season, Brighton already made a splash with a season-finishing sixth in the Premier League. The Seagulls thus took the best ever finish in the English top flight and set a new internal club record under the Italian. Brighton proved that the 2022/23 season was no snapshot just a few matchdays after the start of the 2023/24 season.
The first division club from the English port city of the same name already has nine points on its account after four match days. Only against West Ham did Brighton remain without points so far. Surprisingly, the sixth-placed team in the table lost the league encounter against the Londoners 1:3 – despite home advantage, mind you. A defiant response followed against Newcastle United.
Before the international break, Roberto De Zerbi’s team swept the Magpies out of the stadium 3:1. With the clear victory against Newcastle, the Seagulls have now increased their own tally to twelve goals. Brighton have even scored more goals than leaders Manchester City (11 goals in four matchdays).
Favorite opponents Man United: Will Brighton extend their winning streak?
At least one goal can be expected from Brighton in their upcoming match against Manchester United. The Seagulls have scored in five of their last six H2hs in Premier League action against United since June 2020. In the last three league duels, Brighton scored as many as seven goals – an average of more than two goals per match.
De Zerbi’s side’s recent goal tally on foreign soil also speaks in their favor. Across the season, the Seagulls have scored in their last 15 away games at league level. The last time Brighton had a better goal rate was in the third-tier League One, when they scored in 16 away games in a row.
Like Saturday’s opponents from Manchester, Brighton also has some personnel worries. However, the absences are manageable, as only two players will sit out Saturday’s match due to injury. Internally, Brighton’s top scorer is currently Evan Ferguson. The youngster recently bagged a hat-trick and will therefore also be set against Man United.
Predicted Brighton lineup:
Brighton (Expected lineup) 4-2-3-1
Manchester United – Brighton Direct comparison / H2H balance
This is the 32nd time the two clubs have met. Manchester United leads the historic H2h against Brighton with a record of 19-6-6. However, United remained winless in their last four encounters – in the regular season, mind you. For Erik ten Hag’s side, there have even been three defeats in those four H2hs – all in the Premier League.
Last season, Brighton beat Man United in the first and second legs of the PL 2022/23. The match in Manchester was won 2-1 by the club from the English port city, while there was a 1-0 victory at home to cheer.
Manchester United – Brighton Tip
Brighton made a promising start to the new season. The Seagulls have once again strengthened the well-rehearsed squad from last season with promising new additions. One of the newcomers is Ansu Fati from FC Barcelona. Roberto de Zerbi thus has promising options in the already strong attacking department.
Brighton already has the best offense in the Premier League after four matchdays and, with twelve goals, has even scored more than leaders Manchester City. Before the international break, Newcastle United already felt the Seagulls’ offensive power. It’s quite possible that Manchester United will now also be beaten by the Seagulls.
Brighton have won their last three league encounters against Saturday’s opponents. We see value in the high odds on another Seagulls win and recommend betting on it especially for risk-averse bettors. Our Manchester United vs Brighton betting tip, on the other hand, aims for the visitors to score in the first half. The betting option is sometimes available at Betano.
After the strong performances on the previous match days, Brighton can be expected to score against Manchester United before the break. Man United already conceded against Arsenal and Nottingham in the first half. It is quite possible that this negative trend will continue against Brighton. We use five units for our Manchester United Brighton prediction
