Premier League team news and prediction: Brighton vs Man Utd

 

Gameweek three of the Premier League starts with Brighton taking on Manchester United at the Amex Stadium in Saturday's early kick off. This weekend's encounter is actually the first of two between the two sides in the space of just a few days after they were drawn to play each other in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

 

In the build up to the first of two meetings, we have all your need-to-know matchday information, including where to watch the match, team news, probable XIs and predicted scoreline.

 

When is kick off?
Saturday 25th September, 12:30 GMT
Where is the match?
The Amex Stadium, Brighton
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 1 / BT Sport Extra / BT Sport Ultimate

 

2020/21 so far

 

Brighton bounced back from opening weekend defeat at home to Chelsea with a solid 3-0 win away to Newcastle last time out in the Premier League. The Seagulls sit in the top half of the table heading into Saturday's game and Graham Potter's side also have two wins in the Carabao Cup under their belt.

 

Manchester United started their campaign latter than most after their exploits in last season's Europa League knockout stage and they are already playing catch up with their rivals. United slipped to a shock 3-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace last weekend and looked well off the pace. Their second XI did at least manage a 3-0 win over Luton in midweek but the pressure is growing already.

 

Team News

 

Brighton have a relatively clean bill of health as far as their first-team squad is concerned, with summer signing Adam Lallana fine again after picking up an injury in GW1 and star right-back Tariq Lamptey expected to be fit to face United. Graham Potter will have to make do without Yves Bissouma, however, as the midfielder serves the second of a three-game ban on Saturday. With Dale Stephens also sold to Burnley this week, Potter may have to go with an untried partnership of Steven Alzate and Lallana in central midfield.

 

Defensive duo Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones remain the only injury concerns for Manchester United, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has selection problems heading into Saturday's game. Solskjaer has hinted Eric Bailly could replace Victor Lindelof at the back after such a poor showing from the Swede last weekend, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Greenwood are expected back in the starting XI here. Donny van de Beek may also have to wait for his full league debut, while David De Gea is expected back in goal here despite a fine debut from Dean Henderson in midweek.

 

Probable XIs

 

Premier League team news and prediction: Brighton vs Man Utd

 

Brighton (343): Ryan; White, Dunk, Webster; Lamptey, Lallana, Alzate, March; Trossard, Conolly, Maupay

 

Man Utd (4231): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, Matic; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

 

Key Battle: Tariq Lamptey vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka

 

Premier League team news and prediction: Brighton vs Man Utd

 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka already has a long wait to break into Gareth Southgate's England plans and he may find himself further down the pecking order if Tariq Lamptey continues his remarkable rise at Brighton. Unwanted by Chelsea, Lamptey has certainly made himself a key player for Brighton next to no time and Graham Potter will desperately hope he is fit to face Manchester United on Saturday.

 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may look on in envy when Lamptey bombs forward against his side, as that is what he continues to ask of his own right-back, Wan-Bissaka. There is no doubting Wan-Bissaka's defensive capabilities, highlighted by a tackle success rate of 85.4% in the Premier League last season, but going forward there is still plenty to work on for the 22-year-old.

 

Lamptey, meanwhile, is no slouch in defence and has proved exciting to watch when driving forward. The 19-year-old has already matched last season's tally of assists from six fewer appearances.

 

Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Man Utd

Premier League team news and prediction: Brighton vs Man Utd