Paul Higham can see an end-of-season game ending in yet another draw for Brighton as they host Man Utd…
Seagulls seeking top 10 finish
There’s not much for Brighton to play for on the face of it, but Graham Potter won’t want to limp over the line when they could achieve a first top 10 Premier League finish since their return.
Plus, they’ve lost the last seven on the spin against Man Utd and haven’t won a league game at the Amex in 2022 so far, so in reality there’s plenty to fight for.
It’s been a theme for Potter’s men this season with only 16 points won at home compared to 28 away, including their last three wins that have taken them away from any lingering danger.
With Man Utd having lost their last four away games and failing to win their last four games against top-half teams, Brighton may have their best chance in a while to end their losing run against them.
Almost the end of Ralf’s reign at United
It’s hardly been a roaring success for Ralf Rangnick during his interim spell as manager, and he’s admitted huge changes are needed for Erik ten Hag to have a chance of success next season.
Just what help Rangnick will be as a part-time consultant/part-time Austria manager remains to be seen, but the biggest question for the club is the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
He’s been seen by some as part of the problem, but he’s also been their one success this season and it could have been even worse but for his goals.
Ronaldo has scored in four league games on the bounce and 18 this season as he makes a late charge for the Golden Boot – and to confirm European football for United next season, albeit in the Europa League.
Plenty of stats behind the draw
No team has had more draws than Brighton this season (14) while they’ve drawn their last two at home. United have also drawn 10 games and after losing four away games on the spin a point would be an improvement.
The draw here is 3.55/2 and certainly of interest if the game has that ‘end of season’ feel about it.
Brighton are 2.915/8 for their first home league win of 2022 with Man Utd 2.68/5 to snap that losing streak on the road. Both of these sides have inconsistencies that make the match result a mystery.
The Seagulls have only managed to score 12 home Premier League goals this season, the joint-least with Norwich, so perhaps goals will be in short supply.
The bookies still fancy both teams to score here though at 1.758/11 and that’s possibly more down to Man Utd’s dodgy defending than Brighton’s rather anemic attack at home.
Can Ronaldo stay on a roll?
It’s now 18 goals in 29 league games for Ronaldo this season, the most a United player has managed in the league since Robin van Persie’s 26 in 2013.
Ronaldo’s 2.26/5 to score anytime, and while he’s been quiet of late, Bruno Fernandes loves playing Brighton and has either scored or assisted in all four games against the Seagulls.
Fernandes has scored four and set-up two, and you can back him at 2.26/5 to do either at the Amex, and a 3.613/5 in the anytime scorer market.
Congrats, @LTrossard. The Belgian has been nominated for @EASportsFIFA‘s Player of the Month award!
https://t.co/Vl5nT0vI4v pic.twitter.com/YaGAvxfAOl
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 5, 2022
For Brighton, Danny Welbeck scored in his last home game and is the highest-scoring former Man Utd player against the Red Devils having bagged three goals in eight against his former employers.
Back Welbeck to score at 3.39/4 or for a much tastier price of 5.04/1 look at the in-form Leandro Trossard, who has scored three in four in the league.
There may not be too many goals to go around here though with a low-scoring draw the pick.
Source: BetFair Tips
