Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester United FC, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester United FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Manchester United will once again be at the forefront of the action as they face Brighton in their first away game of the season at the Falmer Stadium. Both teams will enter the match on Saturday after winning their first matches. Brighton trounced Everton 3-0 in their first match away from home. On the contrary, United had to dig deeper to defeat Fulham 1-0 at home after what appeared to be a goalless draw heading into the last three minutes of extra time. Saturday's match will be the 15th encounter between the two Premier League teams, with Manchester United leading Brighton 8-6 in wins and losses.  

TEAMS PREVIEW

Brighton & Hove Albion Preview

Fabian Hurzeler's first official game in command of Brighton & Hove Albion started off well, with his side emerging victorious against a team they had not defeated in their previous three attempts. The fact that they won the match convincingly and away from home makes it much more meaningful. The match concluded with Brighton scoring three goals, scored by Mitoma, Wleback, and Adingra. 

The scoreline also gives an idea of what to expect from the Seagulls this season. Fabian Hurzeler's tactical strategy is built on high goal production, as it was when he was manager of his former club, where his team scored 107 goals in 55 games. This ambition was clear even before the season began, as Hurzeler's team scored 14 goals in preseason games. However, the Seagulls were not only formidable on the attack, but they were also comfortable playing from the back and confident in having the ball in their hands, with an overall possession rate of 62%.

 The encounter against Everton also provided fans with a glimpse of a potent partnership forging between Mitoma-Minteh on either side of the flanks and an experienced Danny Welbeck at the head of the attack. Brighton's first goal came from the Mitoma-Minteh partnership, with Minteh assisting Mitoma. Meanwhile, coming into the season, there were concerns about the midfield's efficiency with the loss of Pascal Gross, who departed Brighton for Borussia Dortmund this summer. However, it was all put to rest when his successor, Mats Weiffer, made a spectacular debut, assisting in his first game. 

They do, however, have an injury issue ahead of their game against Manchester United, as Yankuba Minteh was observed leaving the field at the end of the first half of the last game due to a head injury. The club has underlined that it is a preventive measure rather than a major issue. Aside from that, there are no injury concerns in the squad, with Hurzeler most likely using a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Brighton Starting Lineup - Steele (Goalkeeper);  Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood (Defenders); Milner, Wieffer,Pedro (Midfielders); Minteh, Mitoma, Welbeck (Forwards) 

Manchester United FC Preview

As was the case with Yankuba Minteh and Brighton, it was yet another debutant who created the biggest impact in Manchester United's clash against Fulham at Old Trafford. In what looked like a match heading towards a disappointing draw for the Red Devils, it ended in jubilation owing to a late strike from Joshua Zirkzee, who came on as a substitute in the second half. The 23-year-old Dutch forward, who cost £40 million from Bologna, was United's third-biggest signing of the summer. 

 Despite getting full points from their first games, Ten Hag will be disappointed. With an xG of 2.04, United should have netted more goals. In fact, they had two big chances missed in the first half itself, as Bruno Fernandes, playing as a makeshift striker, bottled two golden opportunities in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Bernard Leno. Later in the match, Garnacho too missed a sitter, which meant he set up the ball for Zirkzee’s winner. 

 In terms of performances, Casemiro stood out since he was seen moving around the midfield more freely throughout the game, creating three key passes, four clearances, four tackles, and two big chances. Not to mention some of his shots at goal. If anything, with that performance, he proved to his naysayers that he still has enough fire left in him. It bodes well for Ten Hag and the club moving forward. 

 However, ahead of the encounter against Brighton, Ten Hag will have a lot to ponder about, beginning with the striker. Prior to the season, he experimented with Fernandes up forward, but it did not pay off, nor did it against Fulham. Maybe it's time he looked into Zirkzee, but then he'd have to bench Mason Mount. Nonetheless, there are some questions about the personnel, but Ten Hag will undoubtedly field a 4-2-3-1 formation with his 11 players. 

Manchester Starting Lineup -  Onana (Goalkeeper); Mazraoui, De Ligt, Marinez, Dalot (Defenders); Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Fernandes (Midfielders) ; Rashford, Zirkzee (Forwards) 

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs MANCHESTER UNITED FC
Winning Prediction

Despite winning their last visit to the Falmer Stadium, Manchester United have struggled on the south coast, losing four of their last seven Premier League games against Brighton. The Red Devils haven't won consecutive matches against Brighton since 2022, when they won seven in a row.

That said, Manchester United had a strong record on the road last season, winning eight of their 18 away games. Only three teams won more away matches. However, their away form was inconsistent, as they also lost eight games.

Considering both teams' recent performances, a draw or a win for United on Saturday seems likely.

Manchester United FC to Win (2-1)

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