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Brighton and Hove Albion vs Manchester United. Premier League.

Amex StadiumAttendance30,611.

Brighton v Manchester United preview: Romelu Lukaku unavailable

Watch live on Sky Sports Premier League or Main Event from 7.30pm on Friday

Romelu Lukaku was on target as Manchester United beat Swansea 2-0 on Saturday

Manchester United will be without leading scorer Romelu Lukaku when they travel to Brighton on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports.

The striker, who has scored 16 Premier League goals this season, was forced off with an ankle injury during last weekend's 2-1 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Victory over the Gunners ensured United will finish in the top four this season, but Brighton are still not guaranteed to stay in the Premier League.

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The Seagulls are five points above the relegation zone having taken just three points from the last 18 on offer. However, victory in their final home game of the campaign would be enough to secure their survival.

"It's a challenge for us and what we wouldn't be silly enough to do is underestimate Manchester United's quality," said manager Chris Hughton.

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Jose Mourinho has explained why the 2018 World Cup has impacted Eric Bailly's place in the Manchester United side

"You've only got to see some of their performances - predominantly the second-half performances against Manchester City and Tottenham - we certainly can't underestimate them.

"You have to go into every game thinking you can get a result in whichever way. We will be buoyed by the performances up there, but they're in a really good rhythm at the moment and it will be an incredibly difficult game."

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The two teams have met twice already this season, with United winning both meetings - 1-0 in the league in November and 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in March.

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Chris Hughton says his Brighton side have had a 'normal' season in the Premier League for a promoted club

Team news

Midfielder Davy Propper returns from suspension for Brighton, having been unavailable for the last three matches following his red card against Huddersfield on April 7.

The hosts have no fresh injury concerns.

Lukaku is out for Manchester United while back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero has been injured recently. Eric Bailly is fit to play despite missing out on the last two matchday squads.

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Jose Mourinho reveals his transfer plans regarding Manchester United players Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian and Marouane Fellaini

Opta stats

  • This will be the first top-flight meeting between these sides in Brighton since November 1982, the Seagulls winning 1-0 thanks to a Peter Ward goal.
  • Brighton have won six of their last seven home league games played on a Friday (D1), since a 0-1 loss against Wolves on January 1, 2016.
  • The Amex Stadium will be the 58th ground Man Utd have played at in the Premier League - they've won at 50 of the previous 57, only Liverpool (54) and Chelsea (51) have won at more.
  • Manchester United have lost at Newcastle and Huddersfield in the Premier League this season - they've never previously lost away against as many as three promoted sides in a single top-flight campaign before.
  • Away from home, the Red Devils have won three in a row, last winning four consecutively in April 2017.
  • Paul Pogba has scored three goals in his last four Premier League games, as many as he had in his previous 20 in the competition.

Charlie's prediction

I think Brighton have all-but done the job in their fight for survival and the pressure is off Manchester United as well, although they do FA Cup final to look forward to and places to play for.

Jose Mourinho will make changes to get his side ready and come on, Jose, please give Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial a proper run-out.

Charlie predicts: 0-2 (15/2 with Sky Bet)

Thommo's prediction
Thommo's prediction

Find out what Thommo is tipping up at 28/1 in his Roma v Liverpool RequestABet here.

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