Manchester United vs Brighton FA Prediction
The FA Cup fixture between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion will take place on Sunday, 11 January 2026, at 19:30 at Old Trafford. This cup encounter brings together two sides whose recent league and cup form has been mixed, and it promises to be a carefully contested match under the floodlights in Manchester. The last direct meeting between the clubs ended in a 4:2 home victory for Manchester United, a result that underlines both teams’ capacity for goals but also highlights defensive vulnerabilities. Both managers will be acutely aware that the FA Cup offers a distinct prize and that rotation, tactics, and game management are consequential in a one-off tie.
Ready to back a winner in the Round? Explore our FA Cup Football betting tips and stay ahead of the action
Main Betting Tip: Manchester United Win (DNB)
The primary betting prediction for this encounter is a home draw no bet for Manchester United (Tip 1). Several factors inform this selection. First, Manchester United will enjoy home advantage at Old Trafford, where the familiar surroundings and support can prove decisive in cup matches. Second, the psychological benefit of having won the most recent direct meeting 4:2 provides evidence that United can breach Brighton’s defence. Third, the current forms of both teams are comparable — each side has recorded one win, three draws, and one defeat in the last five matches — but the marginal advantage of the venue and United’s historical pedigree in knockout competitions skew expectations in favour of the home side. Finally, the appointment of Darren Fletcher as head coach has seen a pragmatic approach in crucial matches, and his selection choices for this cup tie could emphasize experienced options capable of winning tight encounters—best odds for the 1×2 market: DNB at Betway with odds 1.34.
Tip 2: Both teams score? Yes
The second betting tip predicts that both teams will score (Both teams score? Yes). This recommendation is grounded in the attacking tendencies shown in recent direct encounters and the defensive records that suggest neither side is likely to keep a clean sheet with complete certainty. The last meeting produced multiple goals, and both clubs have demonstrated the capacity to score away from home in recent fixtures. Given Manchester United’s inclination to commit players forward under pressure and Brighton’s ability to fashion chances even against strong opponents, a BTTS selection is a reasonable proposition. Best odds for this market: YES at Paripesa with odds 1.55.
New to Paripesa and looking for a sign-up offer? Use the verified Paripesa promo code to unlock current bonuses.
Correct score prediction — 1:1 Draw
The fourth betting tip is a correct score forecast of 1:1. This prediction synthesizes the expectations of a competitive, low-scoring cup tie in which both teams are likely to score once. A 1:1 result reflects the balance between Manchester United’s home advantage and Brighton’s resilience and quality on the ball. It also aligns with the Under 2.5 goals recommendation and the Both Teams to Score “Yes” selection: both sides find the net, but the fixture remains tightly balanced. Best odds for a specific correct score were not provided in the supplied information; the chosen correct score is 1:1.
Statistics for Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Manchester United team news!
Manchester United enter this FA Cup tie under the stewardship of coach Darren Fletcher. The team’s recent run across all competitions reads as one win, three draws and one defeat in the last five matches, demonstrating a degree of resilience and consistency but also an inability to convert many fixtures into victories. The most recent outing produced a 2:2 away draw at Burnley, which underlines both goalscoring potential and defensive lapses. Fletcher’s approach is likely to emphasize a balanced selection that seeks to secure progression while managing player workload for the remainder of the season. Home advantage at Old Trafford and familiarity with the pitch dimensions and atmosphere will work in Manchester United’s favour, particularly in a one-off knockout match.
Brighton & Hove Albion team news!
Brighton & Hove Albion are coached by Fabian Hürzeler. Their form over the last five matches mirrors Manchester United’s — one win, three draws, and one defeat — which suggests that both teams are entering the fixture from similar competitive perspectives. Brighton’s last competitive match resulted in a 1:1 away draw against Manchester City, indicating an ability to compete against top opposition and to produce disciplined performances on the road. Hürzeler will likely prepare his side to be compact, exploit transitions, and seek set-piece opportunities; Brighton’s tendency to press and circulate possession could trouble United, particularly on the break.
H2H statistics
Over the last five meetings across all competitions, the head-to-head record stands at two victories for Manchester United and three victories for Brighton & Hove Albion, with no draws in that sample. The most recent direct meeting concluded with a 4:2 home win for Manchester United, a result that suggests that encounters between these teams can be open and yield multiple goals. Historical balance between the sides means that form, tactical tweaks, and matchday selection will be decisive.
Last results Manchester United
In their last five matches across all competitions, Manchester United have recorded one win, three draws, and one defeat. The current form indicates a team that is not conceding heavy losses but has struggled to convert matches into wins routinely. Their most recent fixture concluded in a 2:2 away draw at Burnley, reflecting both offensive capability and occasional defensive fragility.
Last results Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion have likewise recorded one win, three draws, and one defeat in their last five matches across all competitions. The sequence shows steadiness but limited victory accumulation. Their latest result was a 1:1 away draw at Manchester City, demonstrating the capacity for competitive performances against top-level opposition while also illustrating the difficulty of securing wins.
TIP: Download Telegram before you click here!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Manchester United head into this FA Cup tie as marginal favourites given the advantages of Old Trafford, the recent direct victory, and the experience of navigating knockout fixtures. However, Brighton & Hove Albion under Fabian Hürzeler represent a legitimate threat: their recent form, compact tactical profile, and capability to frustrate stronger opponents mean that the tie is far from one-sided. The principal recommendation is a home win for Manchester United (Tip 1), with secondary selections that anticipate goals from both teams, a low total score under 2.5 goals, and a 1:1 correct scoreline as an alternative scenario. Bettors should consider the best available odds for the 1×2 and BTTS markets as supplied (Paripesa 1.85 for a Manchester United win; Paripesa 1.55 for BTTS Yes) and weigh match-day team news, lineups, and fitness updates before placing stakes.
