Premier League Showdown: Brighton & Man Utd Battle For Early Season Advantage
The Premier League kicks off its second weekend with a tantalising clash between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls, buoyed by their impressive end to last season, will be looking to build on their opening day victory against Everton, while Erik ten Hag's Red Devils will be eager to maintain their winning momentum following their 1-0 triumph over Fulham.
Historically, these two sides have produced some captivating encounters. Brighton holds a surprising edge over United, having won four of their last five Premier League meetings. However, the Red Devils claimed a 2-0 victory in their most recent encounter on the final day of last season.
Adding intrigue to the fixture is the fact that neither team has ever drawn against each other in the Premier League, with a total of 14 matches played, resulting in six wins for Brighton and eight for United. This makes their rivalry one of the most fiercely contested in the league, with only Manchester United's encounters against Wigan boasting more games without a draw.
Brighton's home form has been a concern in recent matches, losing four of their last five games at the Amex Stadium. They will need to rectify this trend if they are to challenge for a top-half finish this season.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are aiming for a strong start to the campaign. A win over Brighton would mark the first time they've won their opening two games of a Premier League season since 2017-18.
Key players to watch include Danny Welbeck for Brighton, who has scored in 15 consecutive Premier League seasons and boasts a strong record against his former club. Brighton's new signing, James Milner, now holds the record for the most Premier League appearances, and has a history of success against the Red Devils.
On the other side, Bruno Fernandes continues to be a potent attacking force for United, having either scored or assisted six of their last 13 goals against Brighton.
The match promises to be a tight affair, with both sides possessing the talent to secure a crucial victory early in the season. With both teams vying for a spot in the top six, the match could set the tone for the rest of their respective campaigns.
