Kick-off: 1630, 23/04/2023
Stadium: Wembley
TV: BBC
It may seem unusual for Brighton to be priced up as favourites to beat Manchester United in the FA Cup, but that looks the correct decision.
United’s injury problems prompted an awful Europa League display in Sevilla and may again catch up with them at Wembley on Sunday.
Albion have won their last two head-to-head meetings and 5/4 for them to prevail here is our first Brighton vs Man Utd prediction.
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Brighton thumped United 4-0 on home turf towards the end of last term and edged out the Red Devils 2-1 at Old Trafford to kick off the current campaign.
Despite losing Graham Potter to Chelsea, the Seagulls have gone on to enjoy a superb season and could still push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Last Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Chelsea made it six wins in nine outings in all competitions – and their only defeat during that time was a very unlucky loss at Tottenham.
In the FA Cup, Albion started out with a 5-1 romp at Middlesbrough, before grabbing a last-gasp decider to shade Liverpool 2-1 at Amex Stadium.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side overcame a tricky obstacle when winning 1-0 at Stoke and then brushed aside League Two Grimsby 5-0 on home turf.
Pascal Gross has a good record against United, hitting a double at Old Trafford in August to make it three goals in two games.
He also scored in three straight encounters between 2018 and 2019.
The 31-year-old this week signed a new contract until 2025 and De Zerbi expressed his delighted at getting that deal done.
“He is one of the best players I have worked with during my career and every day I appreciate him more and more,” said the head coach. “He is one of the secrets to Albion’s success.”
Looking at the Brighton vs Man Utd odds, Gross appeals at 15/2 to score at any time and is 18/1 to net first.
United feel the strain in Spain
Erik ten Hag has enjoyed a successful first season with United, ending a six-year trophy drought in the EFL Cup and doing well in the league.
Last Sunday’s smooth 2-0 victory at Nottingham Forest was a third straight top-flight triumph and left the Red Devils third in the table.
However, injuries have been mounting up and a number of key players were missing from the starting line-up for Thursday’s poor 3-0 loss to Sevilla in Spain, with Bruno Fernandes banned.
Losing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane proved especially costly, as Harry Maguire was at fault for an early setback, while David De Gea also had a night to forget.
That debacle is bracketed alongside other chastening defeats, from the 4-0 loss at Brentford and 6-3 shellacking at Manchester City to being humiliated 7-0 at Liverpool.
Ten Hag said: “Yes, it’s the truth that we have to be better. It’s not about playing skills, it is about character, desire and passion.
“They had more willingness to win. It can’t be and I think it’s unacceptable.”
United have bounced back from other alarming defeats and being able to bring Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw off the bench in Spain following knocks was a boost.
However, Anthony Martial limped off at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and Ten Hag has a decision to make in defence, with Maguire now suspended here.
Fernandes will at least be fresh to bring back some much-needed zest in midfield, so we’re not expecting another completely lifeless display going forward.
Brighton still have everything in their favour, though, and possess the passing skills to expose any issues with fatigue suffered by their opponents.
Let’s finish off our Brighton vs Man Utd betting tips by taking 8/1 for the Seagulls to prevail 2-1 in normal time.
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