Tottenham and Brighton face off in the Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur face Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, 6th October, in their clash corresponding to matchday seven of the Premier League at 16:30 UK time. The Lilywhites are on a streak of five straight wins, a feat they have achieved for the first time since March 2021, and will face a side that is undefeated on home soil so far this season.
Ange Postecoglou rested several key players in the team’s 2-1 win over Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday and will have several fresh faces to count on for Sunday’s fixture. The Australian has managed to ensure that his side finds the right gear as he looks to orchestrate another key win before the international break, in search of a Champions League berth in 2025.
Brighton were beaten 4-2 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend. It was the first loss in the Premier League for Fabian Hurzeler’s side. Unlike Spurs, the Seagulls did not have a midweek fixture and will be a well-rested unit for the game. Nonetheless, it promises to be an even contest and will be an entertaining watch for the fans prior to a two-week hiatus of club football.
Team News
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion have some very grave injury issues before Spurs’ visit. Fabian Hurzeler is going to be without Joao Pedro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Matthew O’Riley, Simon Adingra and Solly March. James Milner and Brajan Gruda are available, having been doubtful previously.
Van Hecke’s absence will be a particularly big setback for Brighton as the Dutchman has been superb at the back for them. His performance against Manchester United in the Premier League’s second matchday was especially impressive.
Danny Welbeck, however, is available having top-scored for the side with three Premier League goals and one assist. Kauro Mitoma, Georginio Hutter and Carlos Baleba are also capable of making the difference in the final third for Brighton.
PREDICTED BRIGHTON LINE-UP (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Estupinan, Dunk, Webster, Kadioglu; Baleba, Wieffer, Hinshelwood; Mitoma, Welbeck, Rutter
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min is the latest addition to the sidelines. He is expected to be back in action after the international break having picked up an injury in Spurs’ first Europa League clash of the season against Qarabag. Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are also injured.
Defensively, Tottenham have been fabulous and have conceded just five times in the Premier League. Their immaculate record at the back is only surpassed by Liverpool. Micky van de Ven will return to the starting eleven against Brighton having rested against Ferencvaros on Thursday.
The attacking unit has also found its groove. Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke are displaying brilliant form in front of goal having struck nine times between themselves in the last five matches. The latter has also earned a recall into England’s squad for this month’s Nations League games.
PREDICTED TOTTENHAM LINE-UP (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Maddison, Bentancur, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Werner
Match-defining duel
Lewis Dunk vs Dominic Solanke
Tottenham Hotspur’s in-form star Dominic Solanke will be relied on to make the difference if they are to clinch a win against Brighton. The English international will be up against his compatriot Lewis Dunk in the box, who is a very formidable central defender.
The Brighton captain is superb aerially and physically, so while Solanke will need to be intelligent and quick with his movements in the final third, it will also be an interesting watch. Spurs’ offensive output will significantly hinge on the battle between their striker and Dunk.
Prediction
Brighton 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur are in a brilliant run of form. While their displays on the pitch have certainly been a factor responsible for their recent wins, Ange Postecoglou has also instilled a mentality within the side that has seen them pick up wins by really grinding for them.
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Brighton are missing some very important players as well, so they might not be able to trouble Spurs as much as they have done to some other sides on home soil so far. Therefore, the visitors should earn three more hard-fought points on their travels.
