Manchester United is in 15th place which is downright stunning even in a bad year for the team. Even more bizarre–Brighton & Hove Albion is ranked well above the Red Devils at #8. The reality isn’t quite that dramatic–Man U has 13 points putting them level with Wolves and West Ham United but they have the best differential of the trio. Brighton is in a four way scrum now with Burnley, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United but their rivals in this group have already played this weekend leaving Brighton in the catbird seat on differential. A win by Manchester United will see them shoot up to 7th place but there’s little to suggest that they’ve got a run at the top four teams on the Premiership table in them.
Brighton has won 3 of 5 in Premier League action winning three at home and losing two away. They beat Spurs, Everton and Norwich City at The American Express Community Stadium but lost at Chelsea and Aston Villa. Brighton is 1-1-3 away in Premier League play this year scoring 4 and conceding 8. Their only victory came at Watford on opening day with the scoreless away draw at Newcastle United. To be fair, with the exception of the game at Aston Villa their away losses came to the Premiership elite–Chelsea and Manchester City. They’re 4-5-16 in their last 25 Premier League away games.
Manchester City has won 4 of 5 in all competitions though they’re just 1-1 in that stretch in the Premier League winning at Norwich City and losing at Bournemouth. In all competitions this season they are 7-4-5 though their home form is markedly better with only a single loss in Premier League play coming to Crystal Palace. They’re 5-2-1 at home in all competitions this year. In the Premier League, they’re 2-2-1 scoring 8 and conceding 4. The two teams split last season’s games with each taking the victory on their home pitch. Man U has now won their last 5 meetings with Brighton at Old Trafford. That trend should continue here due to Brighton’s poor road performance though it is likely to not be a very impressive win.
