Verdict: Goal to score in both halves
Best odds: 4/7
Betting house: Luckster
Closing out the 2025/26 Premier League campaign on Sunday afternoon, Manchester United will travel to the Amex when they take on Brighton.
Brighton
Starting with the hosts, who suffered last-gasp heartbreak at Leeds last time out when they finally fell to a 1-0 defeat at Elland Road, Brighton are desperately looking for an immediate response here. Opening their final match of the season sitting in the driver’s seat of a lucrative European return on Sunday afternoon, Fabian Hurzeler’s side have rightly received a host of plaudits from across England’s elite this year. Excited to return to the Amex, the former St. Pauli manager has seen his team gain a reputation for long-term dominance at home. Last seen in front of their own fans recording a routine 3-0 victory against an already relegated Wolves side, Brighton have won each of their previous three consecutive meetings on the south coast by an aggregate score of 8-1. Likewise, Sunday’s hosts have also recorded 12 points from their last five Premier League battles at the Amex.
Brighton team news
Both dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Brighton will once again be without the duo of Adam Webster and Greek star Stefanos Tzimas here. Similarly, surprisingly excluded from Japan’s World Cup squad this month, Kaoru Mitoma remains a doubt after suffering a recent thigh problem.
Enjoying another fruitful campaign at the Amex and registering 13 Premier League goals this season, former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck will lead the line against his former club. Highly linked with a possible move to Old Trafford in recent months, 22-year-old Carlos Baleba will start in the middle of the park.
manchester united
As for the visitors, while there were plenty of surprises in January when Michael Carrick made a stunning return to the Old Trafford dugout, Manchester United have embarked on a sensational run under the former midfielder. The Red Devils, who have already completed a lucrative return to the Champions League and a bronze medal among England’s elite, find the atmosphere in their camp at its best. Last seen securing a controversial 3-2 home win against Nottingham Forest, Man United will simply look to close things out with a final statement of intent. Indeed, making Carrick’s return to the red half of Manchester permanent and with official confirmation announced on Friday, United have lost just a couple of their 16 Premier League clashes under the former Middlesbrough manager. While they’re still firing on all cylinders, they’ve also suffered just one domestic defeat on the road so far this calendar year.
Manchester United Team News
Still having not made a single appearance in any competition so far in 2026, Dutch international Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a back injury and will not play here. However, Carrick’s side are hopeful that former RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko can make a full return on Sunday afternoon.
Recording a record 20th Premier League assist of the season against Nottingham Forest last weekend, talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes will play a prominent role here. Scoring his first top-flight goal since early February at Old Trafford last week, Bryan Mbeumo should keep his place from the start.
Brighton vs Manchester United Key Factors to Consider
- When Brighton and Manchester United last met on January 11, the Seagulls claimed a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup at Old Trafford.
- Since Carrick’s arrival in January, United have lost just two of their 16 games under the former Middlesbrough manager.
- Man United have suffered just one domestic defeat away from Old Trafford so far this calendar year.
- Brighton have won their last three consecutive meetings at the Amex by an aggregate score of 8-1.
- The red-hot Bruno Fernandes has registered 20 assists in the Premier League so far this season.
Conclusion
Manchester United, already clinching a bronze medal following last weekend’s controversial 3-2 home win against Nottingham Forest, will look to close out the 2025/26 campaign with a final burst. However, seeing their FA Cup adventure come to an end thanks to a 2-1 defeat against Brighton on January 11, Carrick’s high-flying side will be more than aware that they face a tough test on the south coast. Seeing Brighton win their previous three consecutive meetings at the Amex by an aggregate score of 8-1, we could be in for another thriller on Sunday afternoon.
Verdict: Goal to score in both halves
Best odds: 4/7
Betting house: Luckster
