Manchester United vs Brighton prediction, odds and betting tips
Manchester United will face a stiff test when Brighton & Hove Albion make the trip to Old Trafford this weekend.
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion odds
Here are the latest match odds for Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites.
⚡ Quick Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion tips
- Brighton win or draw - 4/6 with bet365
- Over 30.5 shots - 5/6 with bet365
- Rasmus Hojlund to score any time - 8/5 with bet365
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion predictions
It is still early days in the 2023/24 campaign, but Manchester United already have ground to make up in the Premier League.
A defeat here could see them end the weekend nine points adrift of top spot, thus giving them a mountain to climb in the title race.
Finishing on top of the pile always looked like an outside shot at best, but United fans were hoping for a sustained championship challenge.
That may still come, of course, but there is plenty of work for Erik ten Hag to do if this is to be a successful season at Old Trafford.
United are yet to play well across a full game this term. They were extremely fortunate to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on matchday one, before suffering a 2-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.
A 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest came after United went 2-0 down, after which they lost 3-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Competition for the top four looks set to be stronger this season than it was last time out, so United need to get their act together quickly.
In fairness to Ten Hag’s team, they have not had the easiest start to the campaign with trips to Spurs and Arsenal, plus this tricky home game against Brighton.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men will be looking to take a major scalp as they aim to underline their own top-four credentials.
This could very well end up being another case of dropped points for United.
📝 Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion betting tips
Manchester United have an impressive home record but this will be a difficult game for Erik ten Hag’s team.
Brighton or draw - 4/6 (bet365)
Brighton finished sixth last term and they are now looking to perform even better in De Zerbi’s first full season at the helm.
That will be difficult given the fact they lost several key players over the summer and must balance domestic and European commitments for the first time.
But the early signs suggest the Seagulls are not going anywhere as a genuine force in English football.
True, they had no answer for West Ham United’s counter-attacking game plan in gameweek three, as David Moyes’ side ran out 3-1 winners at the Amex Stadium.
But Brighton have won their three other matches to date, beating Luton Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1 apiece, before a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United last time out.
Graham Potter’s Brighton won at Old Trafford on the opening day of last season and the team has only got better in the last 13 months.
On the flip side, Manchester United have been excellent at home since then: Brighton are the last English side to beat them in front of their fans in any competition.
With that in mind, the double chance market looks like the best choice for a game from which Albion would probably settle for a point.
Over 30.5 shots - 5/6 (bet365)
Manchester United’s principal problem so far this season has been in midfield, where Ten Hag has struggled to find the right balance.
Casemiro has been left isolated in his deeper role too often, particularly when he was selected alongside Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount against Wolves and Tottenham.
The signing of Sofyan Amrabat on deadline day should add further steel to the United engine room, but he might not start this match after pulling out of the Morocco squad over the international break.
United are also sweating on the fitness of Lautaro Martinez, while Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane are definitely out.
That means the Red Devils’ defence will be less than full strength for the visit of a Brighton team that has scored the most goals (12) and taken the most shots (80) so far this season.
United sit eighth in the latter ranking but fourth when it comes to attempts conceded. It is a statistic that will worry Ten Hag.
Games involving both of these teams are averaging more than 30.5 shots so far in 2023/24, so this would be an astute pick for your second wager.
Rasmus Hojlund to score any time - 8/5 (bet365)
Rasmus Hojlund looked lively in his Manchester United debut before the international break.
The Denmark international put himself about against Arsenal after entering the fray as a second-half substitute.
Given that Anthony Martial remains unconvincing and Marcus Rashford prefers playing from the left, Hojlund looks set to start up front on Saturday.
Evan Ferguson will be a popular pick in this market after his hat-trick against Newcastle at the start of the month.
But the Irishman is nursing a knee injury and might not be fit in time for the game. If Danny Welbeck recovers from his own fitness issue, the former Manchester United man could get the nod up front due to his pace and mobility.
All things considered, then, Hojlund looks like the optimum selection to find the back of the net any time.
📺 How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
- Date and time: Saturday 16 September 2023, 3pm
- How to watch: Not being shown live in the UK
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