Manchester United have cemented 3rd place in the PL.
For Manchester United, Sunday is a lap of honour. Michael Carrick’s side confirmed third place with last weekend’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, meaning the trip to the Amex is about nothing more than ending the season well, and perhaps bidding farewell to Casemiro, whose contract expires in June. For Brighton, the stakes could not be more different. Fabian Hurzeler’s side sit seventh on 53 points, one ahead of Chelsea and Brentford, and know that dropping points while rivals win could strip them of European football entirely.
The European picture is tangled enough to fill a whiteboard. Brighton are guaranteed at least the Conference League if they avoid defeat, but a win combined with Bournemouth losing at Nottingham Forest could take them as high as sixth and into the Europa League. If Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph last Wednesday is confirmed as counting towards a UEFA coefficient place, it could trigger a chain that elevates Brighton further still. What Brighton cannot afford is a defeat, particularly with Chelsea visiting Sunderland and Brentford travelling to Anfield, two results that could leapfrog Hurzeler’s side out of the European places altogether.
United have lost three of their last four Premier League trips to the Amex, and there has never been a draw in 17 previous top-flight meetings between the two sides. History suggests this game will produce a result, and the motivated side tends to get it.
Manchester United Injury Updates
Carrick confirmed this week that Matthijs de Ligt has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with his back problem. Benjamin Sesko, who has been managing a shin injury since the Sunderland draw, is a doubt and Carrick is expected to make a late call. With nothing to play for in the table, Joshua Zirkzee is likely to lead the line if Sesko is not risked. Patrick Dorgu returned to training ahead of the Forest win and could feature from the bench.
Brighton vs. Manchester United Predicted Lineups
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Cuyper; Hinshelwood, Baleba, Gross; Minteh, Welbeck, Kadioglu
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Mount; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
Prediction
United have the better squad but none of the motivation. Brighton need a result, play at home, and have won four of the last six meetings between these sides. Hurzeler’s side are well-drilled, Joao Pedro is in brilliant form, and the Amex on a final-day afternoon with European football at stake is not a comfortable place for a team with nothing to play for. Brighton edge a game that matters far more to one side than the other.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Manchester United