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Manchester United will face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, 16 September, in what feels like a big match for Michael Carrick.
After a poor start to the season, another defeat here would pile the pressure on the Manchester United manager, but given Brighton's form, it won't be an easy task.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Man Utd vs Brighton key stats
- Brighton have won three of their last five competitive matches.
- Man Utd have won just match against Premier League opposition this season.
- More than two goals scored have been scored in four out of Ipswich's last five matches.
Man Utd vs Brighton: A nightmare draw for the hosts
Man Utd vs Brighton — Tale of the Tape
| Man Utd | vs | Brighton |
|---|---|---|
| 13th (Premier League) | Position | 5th (Premier League) |
| 4 | Points | 7 |
| 7 | Goals For | 13 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 9th | Home / Away Rank | 7th |
Manchester United could have not have been given many trickier draws than Brighton, with the Seagulls' recent form at Old Trafford as good as anyone's (four wins in their last five visits).
Following United's uninspiring start to the season, which was compounded by a desperately poor performance against ten-man Manchester City at the weekend, another defeat here could make life very difficult for Michael Carrick.
Expectations were raised at Old Trafford on the back of a third-place finish last season, but the Red Devils are yet to get going, with their only victories this season coming against newly-promoted side, Ipswich, and Azerbaijan outfit, Sabah FK.
Under normal circumstances, we would see a heavily rotated Man Utd starting XI on Wednesday, but Carrick may be forced into playing a strong team in an attempt to wrestle back some momentum.
Carlos Baleba, Amad, Matthijs de Ligt, and Manuel Ugarte are all still injured, but the likes of Mason Mount and Andrey Santos could come in.
As for Brighton, it will be a case of more of the same, as Fabian Hurzeler's side look to build on a strong start to the season.
So far, the Seagulls have picked up seven points in the Premier League and made it through to the league phase of the Europa Conference League. There is belief within the camp that they can win silverware this season, and a win here would obviously help towards that target.
While their opponents come into the match on a downer, Brighton should come to Old Trafford full of confidence following their 5-0 demolition of Coventry on Sunday. It was the fourth time this season that the Seagulls have scored three or more goals in a single match.
Hurzeler will likely rest a few players here after a busy couple of weeks, but his options are limited with Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Zadok Yohanna, Mats Wieffer, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson all injured.
Man Utd vs Brighton form guide & betting tips
| Man Utd | vs | Brighton |
|---|---|---|
L
W
D
W
L |
Form |
W
W
L
D
W
|
| 11 | Goals For | 17 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
N/A |
Carabao Cup | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Man Utd 1-2 Brighton
Brighton's strong start to the seaosn combined with their record at Old Trafford leans us towards a shock away win. Brighton to win has been priced at 21/10.
More than two goals have been scored in each of the last five meetings between Man Utd and Brighton. Over 2.5 goals has been priced at 1/2.
Charalampos Kostoulas has scored two goals in his last four Brighton appearances. Kostoulas is priced at 12/5 to score anytime on Saturday.
> Brighton to win at 3/1 (4.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 1/2 (1.50) | Likelihood: Probable
> Kostoulas to score anytime at 12/5 (3.40) | Likelihood: Possible