This Saturday, the Premier League will witness a thrilling encounter as Tottenham Hotspur seeks to avenge their previous defeat against Brighton at the AMEX Stadium. The match promises to be an exciting one, with both teams having something significant to play for.
In their last meeting just after Christmas, an injury-riddled Brighton team managed to overcome a weary Spurs side on their home turf. The Seagulls raced into a 4-0 lead before Spurs could muster two consolation goals late in the game. This time around, Tottenham is eager to turn the tables and claim victory on their home ground.
Despite being strengthened by winter arrivals and returning stars from injury, Ange Postecoglou's squad has struggled to sustain momentum in 2024 so far. Their last outing saw them drop two points against Everton due to Jarrad Branthwaite's late equaliser.
However, it's not all doom and gloom for Spurs fans. They currently sit comfortably in fifth place on the Premier League table - just two points behind fourth-place Aston Villa and nine ahead of this Saturday's opponents - Brighton.
On the other hand, Brighton recently scored a much-needed victory over Crystal Palace with an impressive 4-1 win on home soil. This triumph marked their first win of 2024 and has reignited optimism among fans along the south coast.
Roberto De Zerbi has faced some challenges during his first full season as manager of Brighton but this recent success may be indicative of brighter times ahead for his team.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton Team News
Following the elimination of South Korea and Mali from the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations matches respectively, Tottenham Hotspur is set to receive a significant boost. The team will welcome back captain Son Heung-min and former Brighton player Yves Bissouma for their upcoming match against Brighton. However, Bissouma's participation may be subject to a fitness test as he recently played through malaria during the continental tournament.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Hojbjerg; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Richarlison
In other team news, Giovani Lo Celso might recover from his thigh problem in time to participate in the game. Unfortunately, Ryan Sessegnon is expected to remain sidelined with a similar issue. Manor Solomon has also experienced a delay in his recovery from knee surgery and continues under medical supervision.
Son's return could potentially threaten Timo Werner's place in the starting XI despite some impressive performances by the RB Leipzig loanee recently. Dejan Kulusevski is also expected to reclaim his spot over Brennan Johnson who had limited playtime at Goodison Park.
On Brighton’s side, they are likely welcoming back an energetic attacker - Japan's Kaoru Mitoma - who has recovered from an ankle injury just in time for this weekend’s domestic action.
However, Simon Adingra will be unavailable due to his commitment with Ivory Coast for AFCON final against Nigeria. Knee injuries continue to keep Julio Enciso, Solly March and Joel Veltman out of contention along with James Milner who suffers from a thigh problem.
Brighton possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Van Hecke, Igor, Dunk; Hinshelwood, Gross, Gilmour, Lamptey; Buonanotte, Pedro; Ferguson
Ansu Fati made a comeback as a late substitute after recovering from calf injury during their victory over Palace but it remains uncertain if coach De Zerbi will make any changes to the winning side. However, a possible switch up front with Evan Ferguson replacing Danny Welbeck could be on the cards.
Brighton FC finds itself in a similar predicament with several key players unavailable due to injury. Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Marc Cucurella have all been ruled out due to various health issues.
Levi Colwill’s situation adds another layer of complexity for Brighton FC as his problem is not believed to be serious but he will likely miss an upcoming game. His absence might not be long-term but it does add another name onto an already lengthy list of injured players for The Blues.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton Prediction
Brighton's recent thumping of Palace has left sports fans and betting enthusiasts alike wondering whether this is the start of a consistent run or just another flash in the pan. The Seagulls have shown promise, but their inability to follow up with an equally dominant performance raises questions about their consistency.
Despite their impressive display against Palace, Brighton has struggled to maintain that level of performance over the past few weeks. Their attacking exploits on the road leave much to be desired, indicating a lack of consistency that could prove detrimental in future matches.
On the other hand, Tottenham continues its journey through 2024 without a truly convincing win under its belt. However, they have demonstrated a taste for wins at home and are still considered favorites by many due to Postecoglou's free-scoring unit.
Despite being prone to occasional defensive lapses at home games, Tottenham’s return of Son provides quite the boost. His presence on the field could potentially tip the scales in favor of Postecoglou’s team.
While both teams have had their share of ups and downs recently - Brighton with their inconsistent performances and Tottenham with their defensive lapses - it's still anyone's game. However, given Tottenham’s taste for home wins and the return of Son, they are slightly favored to emerge triumphant.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Brighton
Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton will not be broadcast due to the 3pm Saturday blackout.
