Brighton v Man Utd: How to back a 6/1 Bet Builder in FA Cup semi final

• Brighton chasing three in a row v Utd

• United en route to domestic cup double

• Seagulls' Wembley curse runs deep

Manchester United and Brighton will face off at Wembley for a place in the FA Cup final, and recent meetings between the sides suggest this is anything but predictable.

In the short-term, the Seagulls have been on top. They won their last two games against these opponents under Graham Potter, a 4-0 win in May 2022 and a 2-1 triumph at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the current campaign, but Potter's successor Roberto De Zerbi is yet to take on the Red Devils.

Looking further back, United have been the ones in control.

They have never lost in five FA Cup meetings with Brighton, beating them in the 1983 final - after a replay - and claiming victory in the 2018 quarter-finals through goals from Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matić.

How they got here

Erik ten Hag's United already have one domestic cup under their belts this season, beating Newcastle in the League Cup final in February.

They have recovered well from that defeat to Brighton in their manager's first competitive game, and go into the Wembley tie sitting third in the league.

Brighton, meanwhile, are not entirely out of the running for Champions League qualification themselves. They sit seventh, but with games in hand on those above them, and are in the final four of the FA Cup for the first time since falling at this stage to Manchester City in 2019.

United are playing against Premier League opponents for the fourth time in this season's cup run, having already overcome Everton, West Ham and Fulham.

Brighton have had things a little easier, beating fourth-tier Grimsby in a one-sided quarter-final, but did need to get past holders Liverpool in the fourth round.

Chance for a rare double

Only four teams have ever knocked Liverpool and Man Utd out of the FA Cup in the same season, with one of those has going on to win the trophy.

That honour falls to Wolves, who beat Liverpool in round five and United after a semi-final replay before conquering Leicester at Wembley.

Wolves also eliminated both in 2019, only to lose to Watford in the semis. The other teams to knock out Liverpool and United - Everton in 2009 and Chelsea in 2020 - ended up as beaten finalists.

If Brighton are to keep their cup dream alive, Kaoru Mitoma could be the key.

Main man Mitoma

The Japanese international has a goal or an assist in every round, including the winner against Liverpool.

No player has achieved the feat at every stage from the third round through to the semi-final since Romelu Lukaku kept his record intact with his goal against Brighton in 2018.

Potential Injury issues

One major sticking point for Brighton is their Wembley record. They have never won at the stadium, despite coming close in the 1983 final, and a Gabriel Jesus goal for Manchester City was the difference on their last trip.

They will hope Evan Ferguson is fit to help end that record, after the Irishman limped off against Chelsea in their last league game.

The youngster already has three cup goals this term - more than any of his team-mates and the most from any teenager in one FA Cup campaign since Kelechi Iheanacho scored four for Manchester City in 2015-16.

Another man battling back after injury is Man Utd top scorer Marcus Rashford.

The England international only has one FA Cup goal this season, against Everton in the third round, but if involved in the semi-final he could become just the fourth United player to net at Wembley in three different competitions.

Brighton v Man Utd prediction

Brighton's successive league wins against United certainly give them a chance of success on Sunday, but they had only won two from 17 before then. One thing we should be in line for, however, is goals.

Both teams have scored in all of United's FA Cup games so far this season - all ending 3-1 to Ten Hag's side - while Brighton have found the net 13 times in their four cup games.

And that's before the defensive issues which will force the Manchester club to field a makeshift back-line.

We're looking at Brighton to win or draw and both teams to score, with Mitoma to score and Rashford 1+ shots on target. That's available at 7.363/10.

This is a Bet 5 Get 5 game, meaning you can get a £5 free bet when you place a £5 Bet Builder on selected football matches.