Brighton vs Man Utd preview, team news, prediction, kick-off, where to watch

Watch Brighton vs Man Utd on Tuesday on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 7.30pm; kick-off 8.15pm

Monday 29 June 2020 14:24, UK

Team news, stats, how to follow and prediction ahead of Brighton vs Man Utd in the Premier League on Tuesday (kick-off 8.15pm).

Team news

Brighton could be without Adam Webster for the visit of Manchester United. The defender was forced off in last week's 0-0 draw with Leicester due to a hamstring problem and will be assessed before the United fixture.

Tariq Lamptey impressed on his Seagulls debut in the same game and is fit to feature despite requiring stitches in a facial wound suffered during the match.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no fresh injury concerns. The Norwegian made eight changes for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final win at Norwich and looks set to make a similar number of alterations after the match went to extra-time.

Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones remain absent for United, who will surely not call upon Angel Gomes after Solskjaer said the teenage midfielder looks set to leave when his contract expires on Tuesday.

How to follow

Follow the match on Sky Sports Premier League without crowd noise and Sky Sports Main Event with crowd noise from 7.30pm; kick-off 8.15pm. Also keep up-to-date in our dedicated live blog with in-game clips, as well as highlights published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after full time.

Opta stats

Brighton have won their last three top-flight home games against Manchester United, in a run stretching back to 1982.
Manchester United have lost both of their Premier League away games against Brighton. Only against Chelsea (2003-2006), Everton (2012-2015), Liverpool (2008-2011), Southampton (1996-1998) and Tottenham (2016-2018) have they lost three consecutive away Premier League games against an opponent.
All five Premier League meetings between Brighton and Man Utd have been won by the home side, the most played Premier League fixture with the home side winning 100 per cent of the time.
Brighton are unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches, with all three of these games coming against sides starting in the top half of the table (Wolves, Arsenal, Leicester). They last had a longer unbeaten league run between January-March 2018 (5 games).
Brighton have kept two clean sheets in their last three Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 20 in the competition. The exception in this three game run was against Arsenal, where they won having conceded the first goal for the first time in the Premier League this season.
Manchester United have kept seven clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League matches - as many as they managed in their first 40 under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

Charlie's prediction

This is the one that tells me where Manchester United are. They would normally struggle in the past away at sides like Brighton, where they went down 3-2 last season at The Amex. Nevertheless, four points out of six is magical after the restart for Brighton, and it gives them breathing space, depending on what happens with the other teams around them. The gap to the others is still not sufficient though as it stands.

United have been impressive. Anthony Martial does what he does. He looks poor one week and is class the next. The skill and movement of Bruno Fernandes has been excellent, while Paul Pogba can supply the three up front. I like the balance of Mason Greenwood, coming in off the right as a left-footer. The pace and movement is so valuable at this time of the season, while teams are still trying to find their feet.

Teams need to play deeper against United, but by the time you get the ball, it is hard to hit the forwards and have the midfielders to get up and support, and this is where United can get on top of you. All these things add up to let you know United may have some steel now.

Themselves, Chelsea and Wolves are in one hell of a fight. They may not be as strong away from home but the belief is growing, and when they have that, it becomes irreplaceable and too hard to handle at times. They are in for a good run-in.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-3 (14/1 with Sky Bet)