Prediction: Brighton and Hove Albion to win 1-0
Best Odds: 9/1
Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester United will face each other in the FA Cup semi-finals this coming weekend. The match between the Seagulls and the Red Devils will be held at Wembley Stadium in London and is scheduled to kick off at 4:30pm UK time on Sunday.
Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton and Hove Albion are having a wonderful season and are going from strength to strength. When Graham Potter left for Chelsea earlier in the season, there were doubts on whether the Seagulls would be able to maintain their trajectory. Under Roberto De Zerbi, Potter’s successor, Brighton have actually become better and could end the season with a major trophy as well as qualifying for Europe.
The Seagulls are seventh in the Premier League table at the moment with 49 points from 29 matches. Brighton are above the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the standings at the moment. De Zebra’s side are seven points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, who have played 30 games.
Brighton will head into the FA Cup semi-final tie against Premier League rivals Manchester United on the back of a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London in the Premier League. It came after a 2-1 loss at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur away from home at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the league and followed a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on the road in the Premier League.
Team News:
Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has a thigh problem and will not play for Brighton and Hove Albion against Manchester United. Evan Ferguson has an ankle injury and will not feature for the Seagulls either.
Manchester United
Manchester United are arguably the biggest club in England, and under manager Erik ten Hag, they are on course to winning their second major trophy this season. United have already clinched the Carabao Cup in the Dutchman’s first season in charge, and the former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners will be determined to clinch the FA Cup as well.
United will head into the FA Cup semi-final tie against Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Sevilla away from home in Spain in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie. It saw the Red Devils lose the tie 5-2 on aggregate. It came after a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag’s side are third in the Premier League table at the moment with 59 points from 30 matches. United are three points above fourth-placed Newcastle United and are six points better off than Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently fifth in the standings and have played 31 matches.
Team News:
Marcus Rashford has recovered from a groin problem and will start for Manchester United against Brighton and Hove Albion. Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Marcel Sabitzer all have recovered their fitness as well.
Key Factors to Consider
- Brighton and Hove Albion have scored 54 goals in 29 Premier League matches.
- Manchester United have scored 46 goals in 30 Premier League matches.
- Kaoru Mitoma has scored 10 goals and given 6 assists in 31 competitive matches for Brighton and Hove Albion.
- Alexis Mac Allister has scored 10 goals and provided 2 assists in 30 competitive games for Brighton and Hove Albion.
- Marcus Rashford has scored 28 goals and given 8 assists in 48 competitive games for Manchester United.
Conclusion
Manchester United are doing well in the Premier League at the moment, but their recent performances and results against Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League suggest that in cup ties, they are vulnerable. Brighton and Hove Albion are a very good side who play fluid and attacking football, and the Seagulls will fancy their chances of winning against the Red Devils. A narrow win for Brighton could be the final outcome in this particular FA Cup semi-final toe.
Prediction: Brighton and Hove Albion to win 1-0
Best Odds: 9/1
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