Manchester United round off the 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a trip to the south coast to face Brighton & Hove Albion.
Having already qualified for next season’s Champions League, the Red Devils have nothing riding on the outcome of the fixture at the Amex Stadium.
By contrast, Brighton head into the final weekend knowing that a victory would secure qualification for the Europa League.
The Seagulls are seventh in the table, but could drop out of the European places if they fail to beat United and results elsewhere go against them.
With so much at stake for the home side, it is no surprise that online bookmakers rate them as the favourites to pick up three points on Sunday.
However, punters who use the Linebet download for wagering purposes may feel that United offer better betting value given their recent form.
Carrick oversees a resurgence at United
While United are guaranteed to end the season in third place, interim manager Michael Carrick will be urging his players to take Sunday’s game seriously.
The Red Devils have won 11 and drawn three of their 16 league games under Carrick – a record which has convinced the club that he should be appointed permanently.
Champions League qualification appeared to be nothing more than a pipedream when the 44-year-old took charge, but he has got the job done.
The expectations next season will be different, with United set to compete in four different competitions. It will be intriguing to see how Carrick copes with the pressure.
In fairness, the former Middlesbrough manager has guided United to positive results in big games this term, most notably against Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
He has earned the respect of the players and the fans, which has effectively forced the club to ditch the idea of appointing someone else.
Carrick will be eager for his team to demonstrate the wisdom of that decision by blowing a hole in Brighton’s European qualification hopes this weekend.
Goals on the cards at the Amex
United and Brighton have served up several entertaining encounters in recent seasons, with both teams scoring in five of the last seven Premier League meetings between them.
The Red Devils triumphed 4-2 in the reverse fixture in October, but Brighton gained their revenge by triumphing 2-1 at Old Trafford in the third round of the FA Cup in January.
That was their seventh victory over United in the last 10 meetings between the two sides in all competitions.
Brighton have lost only three of their 18 home league games this season, which highlights the size of the task United face on Sunday.
However, the Red Devils’ record of six wins and eight draws in 18 outings on the road demonstrates that they are tough to beat away from Old Trafford.
With Brighton needing to take a positive approach to secure European qualification, United could take advantage of the gaps they will leave at the back.
Odds of 12/5 for Bruno Fernandes to bag an assist are tempting. He needs one more to break the Premier League single-season assists record (20) held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Backing over 3.5 goals at 13/10 could also pay dividends, while correct score odds of 12/1 for a 2-2 scoreline may reward more ambitious punters.
United’s resurgence under Carrick since he replaced Ruben Amorim has been remarkable, and they are fancied to take something from the game at the Amex.
