Brighton v Man Utd - Belgian bully to excel at The Amex

PREMIER LEAGUE analysts Daniel McCulloch (@DMcCulloch1984) has run the rule over Super Sunday's clash between Brighton and Manchester United.

Brighton v Manchester United | Sunday 19th August 2018, 16:00 | Sky Sports

At the time of writing, Manchester United are a best price of 17/20. While I wouldn’t back the Red Devils at such a price, given that they were 8/11 in midweek, I do feel that I have missed the value when it comes to opposing them.

Moreover, as bad as the football has been under Jose Mourinho, I am conscious that United have won 18 of their 28 matches against sides from seventh down since the Portuguese took the helm.

That said, Brighton won the corresponding fixture last season and also beat Arsenal and drew with Tottenham at The Amex. They earned 29 of their 40 Premier League points at home last term and Chris Hughton knows that they will need a similar return this season if they are to build on that success.

Brighton were woeful in defeat to Watford, but I don’t expect a similar display here. All in all, I think the Match Odds prices are about right now, so will need to search elsewhere for a spot of value.

I believe that comes in the form of Romelu Lukaku in the anytime goalscorer market at 6/4 with Betway. The Belgian hardly eradicated his reputation as a flat-track bully after scoring four times in the group stages of the World Cup (against Tunisia and Panama) and then failing to find the net in the knockout stages.

Still, his performance levels were quite high and I expect him to cause the Brighton backline plenty of problems.

I would also recommend having a look at the prices of the Brighton centre-back pair of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy in the same market come kick off. There isn’t much liquidity on the exchange now but there will be leading up to a live game.

United looked suspect from set pieces to me against Leicester last weekend and I think these two can cause them concern again.