Manchester United vs Brighton prediction 11.01.2026 | FA Cup
Manchester United
Kick off:
Date:
Brighton & Hove Albion
1
1.87
X
4.00
2
3.65
Contents
- Competition: FA Cup, 1/32 Finals
- Date: Sunday, 11th January, 2026
- Kickoff: 16:30 UK / 17:30 CET
- Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)
In the second weekend of 2026, there will be no Premier League fixtures, as attention shifts to the FA Cup knockout stage. One of the most intriguing ties in the 1/32 Finals sees Manchester United host Brighton. Both teams are coming to this game after winning one point in their previous matches - Manchester United against Burnley, and Brighton against Manchester City.
Let's break down the game and find the best possible bet for this FA Cup tie.
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Manchester United
4 : 2
Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
-
Manchester United
1 : 3
Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
-
Brighton & Hove Albion
2 : 1
Manchester United
Premier League
-
Brighton & Hove Albion
0 : 2
Manchester United
Premier League
-
Manchester United
1 : 3
Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
-
Brighton & Hove Albion
1 : 0
Manchester United
Premier League
These teams have met this season in the Premier League, in October, with Manchester United winning 4:2 at Old Trafford. In the previous 10 h2h games, Manchester United have won three, while Brighton have won six.
When it comes to the number of goals, six out of the past ten h2h games ended with three or more goals. Meanwhile, both teams scored on five occasions.
Manchester United team overview
Manchester United had a disastrous last season, and their fans hoped for a different display this year. This year, the Red Devils had their ups and downs, but after winning only one of five games between mid-December and mid-January, the club eventually sacked head coach Ruben Amorim. Right now, they are in seventh place in the Premier League with 32 points from 21 matches. However, they are still just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and have to start winning games and be more consistent. Also, since they are 17 points behind the top spot and exited the EFL Cup early, their best chance of winning the trophy is in the FA Cup.
On January 5th, coach Darren Fletcher took over as caretaker manager. In their first game under Fletcher, MU drew 2:2 with Burnley. According to speculation, several names could take over the team soon: Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Xavi (unemployed), Kieran McKenna (Ipswich Town), Gareth Southgate (unemployed), Michael Carrick (unemployed)...
For the upcoming match, the team will miss Matthijs de Ligt due to an injury, while Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo Traore, and Bryan Mbeumo are still with their NT at AFCON.
Last matches of Manchester United
-
Burnley
2 : 2
Manchester United
Premier League
-
Leeds United
1 : 1
Manchester United
Premier League
-
Manchester United
1 : 1
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Premier League
-
Manchester United
1 : 0
Newcastle United
Premier League
-
Aston Villa
2 : 1
Manchester United
Premier League
Manchester United lineup
Goalkeeper
-
31
Senne Lammens
Defenders
-
2
Diogo Dalot
-
6
Lisandro Martínez
-
15
Leny Yoro
-
23
Luke Shaw
Midfielders
-
18
Casemiro
-
8
Bruno Fernandes
-
25
Manuel Ugarte
Forwards
-
10
Matheus Cunha
-
30
Benjamin Sesko
-
13
Patrick Dorgu
Brighton team overview
Brighton are playing their ninth consecutive season in the Premier League, where they have mostly been a mid-table team. Last year, they finished 8th, missing out on Europe only because Crystal Palace won the FA Cup. This season, the Seagulls are once again around the middle of the league table - 11th place with 29 points. However, they are only four points away from the fifth place and European spots. This season, they have been pretty bad on the road, averaging around one point per game less there. Now, this match against under-pressure Manchester will be a perfect opportunity to grab one of their rare road wins this season.
Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster, Solomon March, Mats Wieffer, and Yankuba Minteh Moat, who missed the previous games with injuries, should remain sidelined, while Carlos Baleba is still at the AFCON with his NT. On the positive side, Joel Veltman and Charalampos Kostoulas recovered from their injuries after missing the previous game vs Manchester United and will be available.
Last matches of Brighton & Hove Albion
-
Manchester City
1 : 1
Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
-
Brighton & Hove Albion
2 : 0
Burnley
Premier League
-
West Ham United
2 : 2
Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
-
Arsenal
2 : 1
Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
-
Brighton & Hove Albion
0 : 0
Sunderland
Premier League
Brighton & Hove Albion lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Bart Verbruggen
Defenders
-
34
Joël Veltman
-
5
Lewis Dunk
-
6
Jan Paul van Hecke
-
29
Maxim De Cuyper
Midfielders
-
26
Yasin Ayari
-
25
Diego Gómez
-
30
Pascal Groß
Forwards
-
24
Ferdi Kadıoğlu
-
19
Charalampos Kostoulas
-
10
Georginio Rutter
Prediction
The last three Manchester United games ended with both teams scoring. Moreover, eight of their past nine matches ended with BTTS - YES. Also, at home, they have scored in eight out of ten games across the competitions, averaging almost two goals per game (1.8). So, they should score against Brighton, which haven't had a clean sheet in the last four road matches.
Brighton have been solid offensively, scoring at least one goal in the last four games. Two of those games were against Arsenal and Manchester City, proving the Seagulls can score against the best teams in England.
Moreover, the last three h2h games ended with both teams scoring. Considering the trend in the previous h2h games and all the above, we believe that both teams to score is the safest option for this FA Cup tie.
4 Reasons why both teams should score
- Eight out of the last nine Manchester United games ended with both teams scoring
- MU scored in nine consecutive games
- Brighton scored in the previous four matches
- The last three h2h games ended with both teams scoring
Main prediction Manchester United - Brighton & Hove Albion
Both Teams to Score
Best Odds:
Megapari
1.50
