Tottenham Hotspur welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a decisive Premier League clash affecting both ends of the table.
After Arsenal and Chelsea both blew chances to go third this weekend, Spurs can consolidate their position with victory here and move closer to qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Brighton meanwhile can take a huge step towards safety if they win after Cardiff lost to Liverpool on Sunday.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesTottenham could welcome Hugo Lloris back into goal after the Frenchman sat out Saturday’s loss at Manchester City with a muscular injury.
Midfielder, Harry Winks will again be assessed after failing a late fitness test at the Etihad, as he continues to battle a groin issue which has kept him out for their last three matches.
Serge Aurier, Erik Lamela (both thigh), Harry Kane (ankle) and Moussa Sissoko (groin) all remain sidelined but could potentially feature before end of season.
Bruno is set to be available for Brighton after overcoming a knock picked up in Saturday’s goalless draw at Wolves.
Anthony Knockaert remains sidelined as he serves the last of a two match ban before returning at weekend against Newcastle.
Jason Steele and Davy Propper both look to be ruled out until next season with respective wrist and thigh injuries.
Stat Attack
- Tottenham are unbeaten in three Premier League meetings with Brighton (W2, D1).
- In five top flight home meetings including old First Division, Spurs have lost just once and scored twice in each of their four unbeaten games (W3, D1, L1).
- If Pascal Gross scores here, he will become only the second Brighton player to have scored at least ten Premeir League goals in past two seasons after Glenn Murray.
- Spurs’ Toby Alderweireld has made 1137 more passes in 30 appearances this season compared to the 915 than he produced in 14 appearances last season.
- Shane Duffy have won 160 aerial battles for Brighton this season compared to Spurs’ Alderweireld who won just 48.
Prediction
If Brighton can produce another defensive performance like they did at Wolves then this will be a tough test of Tottenham’s top four hopes.
I am however going for a routine home win because Tottenham are unbeaten so far at their new stadium and Brighton’s defence isn’t the most strongest at present to handle top teams away from the AMEX.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Jake predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Result: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion