This week will see the fourth round of the League Cup and on Wednesday the 30th of September we have a meeting between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester United.
The game will be played at the American Express Community Stadium and it will be the second match between the teams in five days.
Brighton played well in the first game against Manchester United on Saturday and will feel as though they deserved to take something from the match. Brighton took the lead from the penalty spot on 40 minutes but quickly found themselves behind in the second half having conceded two goals. Brighton did not give up and scored an equaliser in stoppage time to seal what they thought would be a point. However, drama was to unfold in the latter stages of injury time as Manchester United were awarded a penalty and they converted from the spot.
That was the second successive defeat at home in the Premier League for Brighton this season following their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. Nonetheless, they have enjoyed 3 victories this season, one of which was at Newcastle United in the Premier League and the others came in the League Cup.
In the League Cup this season, Brighton have defeated Portsmouth 4-0 at home and Preston North End 2-0 away. However, it is the home form that will be given them concern and trends show Brighton have won only one of their last 7 home competitive games.
Manchester United will be relieved to have taken maximum points from the meeting with Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday. They were second best for much of the match and needed the award of a penalty following the full time whistle to win the game. It was their first victory in the Premier League this season following a home defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.
Manchester United are a game behind the majority of clubs in the Premier League this season having started one week later but they have played a game in the League Cup. The third round draw took them to Luton Town and the Red Devils came out on top to win the game 3-0.
Trends show Manchester United have seen both teams score in 3 of their last 4 competitive matches in all competitions. They have also seen over 2.5 goals in each of their last 4 games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Brighton are still without Florin Andone and Jose Izquiero due to injury. The likes of Bernardo, Joel Veltman, Dan Burn, Pascal Gross, and Davy Pröpper will be hoping to start the game.
Manchester United will be without the injured duo of Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones. Eric Bailly, Dean Henderson, Brandon Williams, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Dan James, Donny van de Beek, Scott McTominay, and Odion Ighalo should all start.
Manchester United have greater strength in depth than their opponents and that could make the difference in this game. We expect to see both teams score plus over 2.5 goals as Manchester United progress to the next round.