Manchester Utd vs Brighton prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-09-15 14:00.
The first international break of the 2023/24 season has done little to stem the flow of drama at Manchester United. A last-gasp 3-1 defeat at old enemies Arsenal before the break was followed by a fallout between manager Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho, while the Red Devils will also now be without Antony as he faces up to abuse allegations in Brazil. Ten Hag will be determined to get focus back onto on-pitch matters, as United gear up for a tough week that includes fixtures against in-form Brighton and a trip to German champions Bayern Munich.
The Red Devils have made an indifferent start to the Premier League (PL) season (W2, L2), but both of those wins did come at home, where they’re unbeaten since September 2022 (W27, D4). Their unblemished record at Old Trafford in PL action stretches all the way back to the opening day of last season, when they were beaten 2-1 in Ten Hag’s first match by none other than Brighton.
That success makes up part of a sequence of three consecutive PL H2H victories for the Seagulls, who entered the international break in fine fettle by comfortably seeing off Newcastle (3-1). Head coach Roberto de Zerbi described the performance as “fantastic” as his side made it three wins from their opening four PL games for the third season running (L1).
A trip to one of football’s famous theatres kicks off an exciting week for Brighton, who enter major European competition for the first time in their history next Thursday as they square off with AEK Athens in the UEFA Europa League. They’ll likely be warming up for that clash in all-or-nothing fashion as they’ve won four and lost four of their last eight PL away matches – a trend that continues across this H2H as there’s never been a draw in the 12 PL meetings between the sides (BRI: W5, L7).
Key battle: United captain Bruno Fernandes was in sparkling form over the international break, directly contributing to five goals in two matches for Portugal (G2, A3). Pascal Groß could be tasked with tying him down, but he’ll be dying to get forward as the six goals he’s netted against the Red Devils is his best tally against any side in his career.
Hot stat: Across 12 PL H2Hs, there have been six penalties awarded. All of them were scored, and two acted as stoppage time winners.