Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: January 11, 2026 | Old Trafford | Emirates FA Cup | 16:30 GMT

With January arriving, it is finally time for the 44 best teams in England to enter the FA Cup at the third-round stage. Here, we have an all-Premier League clash in one of the ties of the round. After receiving Arsenal in the hat at this stage last year, it doesn’t get much easier for 13-time FA Cup winners Manchester United, who continue their post-Ruben Amorim era by welcoming a tricky Brighton outfit to the Theatre of Dreams with both sides looking to push into the next round.

In last year’s edition, the Red Devils saw a promising start to their cup run diminished by Fulham on penalties in round five. Meanwhile, Brighton made it one step further and were narrowly edged out by a tough Nottingham Forest on penalties in the quarter-final stage.

We believe that this has the potential to be an entertaining tie, and one going either way. We believe a safer option is a match which sees goals at both ends of the pitch.

Key Betting Tip: BTTS at 1.57 odds on Kwiff represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our algorithm.

This match looks exciting from the outlook of game which could feature a lot of goals. The table shows both teams struggles in the defensive third, conceding a combined 60 goals between them after 21 matches. This, mixed in with it being an exciting cup game where teams may rotate their side, makes it even more appealing that we can see goals at both ends.

odds subject to change.

Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Lineups

Man United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Senne Lammens; Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot; Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro; Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha; Benjamin Sesko.

Team News: The hosts don’t have much to worry about injury wise, with just Matthijs de Ligt expected to miss the clash through injury.

Brighton Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Bart Verbruggen; Maxim De Cuyper, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Jack Hinshelwood; Pascal Gross, Yasin Ayari; Kaoru Mitoma, Diego Gomez, Ferdi Kadioglu; Georginio Rutter.

Team News: Fabian Hurzeler’s men, however, are suffering from a few injuries. Yankuba Minteh, Adam Webster, Mats Wieffer, Solly March and Stefanos Tzimas are all sidelined.

Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Current League Standings

The Mancunian outfit haven’t had a bad season by any means, but it did feel Amorim believed his time was coming to close soon, especially when he decided to rant about the club and sporting director. As for the table, the draw to Burnley means they now sit outside the top 6, with eight wins and eight draws. Their 32 points sees them lie just two points off fourth, but also just six points off 15th placed Bournemouth.

As for the Seagulls, they have a rather even campaign thus far. Experiencing seven wins, draws and six losses, they reside just outside the top 10 on 29 points proving just how close the entirety of the midtable is at this moment. They have found 31 goals so far, and have a positive goal difference, finding themselves in a slightly better position in comparison to those around them.

Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Head-to-Head Timeline

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

Through the last 15 years, these sides have met on 20 occasions. These teams have had some cracking encounters over the years, and their records suggest this game could go either way. With just one draw, Brighton have won eight to United’s 11. In the last five meetings, Brighton have had the better end of the stick, winning 3-2 for games won.

• October 25, 2025: Man United 4-2 Brighton
• January 19, 2025: Man United 1-3 Brighton
• August 24, 2024: Brighton 2-1 Man United
• May 19, 2024: Brighton 0-2 Man United
• September 16, 2023: Man United 1-3 Brighton

Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion: Recent Matches Analysis

Man United Last 5 Matches:

• Man United 2-2 Burnley (A)
• Man United 1-1 Leeds (A)
• Man United 1-1 Wolves (H)
• Man United 1-0 Newcastle (H)
• Man United 1-2 Villa (A)

On the surface, you may think that United have been solid in recent weeks since they are four games unbeaten. However, drawing to Wolves, Leeds and Burnley is not what any Red Devils fan should be pleased with. Poor Frank Ilett is never going to cut his at this rate. The only thing their form has done for them is not see them rapidly fall down the league standings.

Brighton Last 5 Matches:

• Brighton 1-1 Man City (A)
• Brighton 2-0 Burnley (H)
• Brighton 2-2 West Ham (A)
• Brighton 1-2 Arsenal (A)
• Brighton 0-0 Sunderland (H)

The Seagulls may as well have opted to stay in the same hotel as for the game against the Citizens. After already playing the Blue side of the city, they now face the Red side this weekend. Things have been looking up for south coast outfit in recent weeks, and earning a 1-1 draw at the Etihad is perfect preparation heading into this clash, and their confidence couldn’t be higher.

Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in a high-scoring affair. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: BTTS @ 1.57 - Recent form suggests confidence in both sides scoring. With a staggering 63.3% chance of both sides finding the target according to our incredible in-house algorithm, this seems like a strong value option.

Key Players to Watch: Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): United fans will be pleased that Portuguese star has stayed with them for so long, working under seven managers if we include Darren Fletcher, although at least he won't have to play in the deeper midfield role for much longer (Mirror). The 31-year-old continues to pull his side out of a hole in big games, and with 13 goal contributions already this campaign, will he need to do the same again?

Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton): The Japanese international has been a sensation for the Seagulls during their PL existence. Although Mitoma hasn’t played a big role this season, playing just 11 league games, his stunning strike against Man City shows he has the ability to change the game by himself.

Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Match Facts

Referee: Simon Hooper.

Broadcast Details:

UK/INT’L: discovery+, TNT Sports at 16:30 GMT.

Stadium Information: Located in Manchester, England, Old Trafford can hold up to just over 76,000 supporters, and this venue is expected to be packed for this clash, with this clash having much at stake for both sides.

Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Final Prediction

Manchester United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton win on penalties