Brighton vs Manchester United predictions: Hosts' urgency can lead to entertaining finale
Phil Agius
Brighton have scored three goals in each of their last two home games
Manchester United won 4-2 when these teams met at Old Trafford in October
Recommended Bet: Over 3.5 goals
Seventh-placed Brighton host third-placed Manchester United on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday but the game matters much more to the home side as they bid to secure European football for next season.
The Seagulls had a chance to make sure of at least a Europa League spot when they visited Leeds last Sunday but a 1-0 defeat has taken their battle down to the last match.
United have no such worries as they head into their final fixture way behind the top two but a comfortable six points ahead of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
The Red Devils have taken 13 points from their last five matches, including a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest last week.
The first league meeting between the teams this season produced six goals as United won 4-2, and the urgency of the home side, coupled with a potentially carefree attitude from the visitors, could lead to another high-scoring contest.
The latest Brighton vs Manchester United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma is out with a hamstring injury. Mats Wieffer has a chance to return from an ankle issue while Diego Gomez made a substitute appearance against Leeds in his first game back from a knee problem.
Benjamin Sesko is not likely to be risked by Manchester United after a shin injury, while Matthijs de Ligt is out after back surgery. Michael Carrick could give a chance to some youngsters with Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher and Shea Lacey in contention to make the matchday squad.
The latest Brighton vs Manchester United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Both teams have scored in five of the last seven Premier League meetings between the teams.
Manchester United have won three of their last four league games by a one-goal margin.
There have been four or more goals in three of the last five league meetings between the clubs.
Brighton have lost only three of their 18 home league games this season.
United have drawn eight of their 18 away matches in the top flight.
There were four second-half goals in the teams' first clash this season.
The latest Brighton vs Manchester United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
With incentives for both teams to press forward on the last day of the season, another lively contest is anticipated when Manchester United visit Brighton.
United's 4-2 victory in their first meeting was the second-highest scoring league fixture of the season for both clubs and the pair are in solid form in front of goal.
Brighton have found the net eight times in their last three home games, beating Liverpool 2-1 before a pair of impressive 3-0 wins over Chelsea and Wolves. While they fluffed their lines in last week's 1-0 defeat by Leeds, that was the first time Fabian Hurzeler's team had drawn a blank in eight games since a 1-0 loss to newly-crowned champions Arsenal.
United have not been quite so expansive on the road as at Old Trafford and their last away trip brought a goalless draw at Leeds, but they had scored in 15 successive away games before that, while their last two home matches have been 3-2 wins over Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
While three points are of no particular use to the Red Devils, one of their main targets for the day may well be to help Bruno Fernandes break the Premier League single-season assists record after he drew level on 20 with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
With Brighton set to take a positive approach in search of a win to secure a valuable European place, take over 3.5 goals to be scored.
Score prediction - Brighton 2-2 Manchester United
Back over 3.5 goals at 11/10 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Brighton vs Manchester United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
