Tottenham Hotspur will host Brighton on Saturday in North London. The teams will meet in a Premier League top-six six-point matchup. Spurs go into the fixture in fifth place, while Brighton are sixth in the standings.
The two clubs are chasing fourth-place Manchester United for the final Champions League qualification place. Brighton are seven points off the top four. The Seagulls are on pace to qualify for Europe for the first time. Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Brentford are breathing down their necks.
Back home this weekend 👊 pic.twitter.com/EOpPjkWtcY— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 5, 2023
Back home this weekend 👊 pic.twitter.com/EOpPjkWtcY
Spurs are three points off Manchester United in the race for fourth place. Tottenham claimed a 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium in the reverse fixture. Harry Kane scored in the 22nd minute and Spurs held onto the lead from there.
Tottenham and Antonio Conte have since parted. The team is unbeaten in three straight Premier League matches, but their last two matches all ended in draws.
Spurs took 11 points from the last six matches. As bad as pundits have claimed Spurs to be this season, they are still around the top-four places. It cannot be argued that Tottenham have massively underachieved.
Brighton also picked up 11 points from their last six Premier League fixtures. The Seagulls will play Manchester United in a few weeks in the FA Cup semifinal. Brighton are having a historic season and it could get better under Roberto De Zerbi.
Graham Potter leaving for Chelsea may have been the best thing for the Seagulls. De Zerbi is unbeaten in 15 of 21 fixtures in the Premier League. Since returning from the 2022 FIFA World Cup break, Brighton are unbeaten in 11 of 13 matches.
Spurs won four of their last six matches in all competitions against Brighton. They are on a four-match home winning streak in the Premier League.
Tottenham interim manager Cristian Stellini could be without up to seven players for the match. Emerson is out with a knee injury, and Ben Davies will miss the game with a thigh problem.
Lucas Moura is suspended for the match. Yves Bissouma and Ryan Sessegnon are both ruled out with leg injuries. Richarlison is unlikely to play following a fitness issue. Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
De Zerbi could also be without several key players. Adam Lallana has a thigh injury and won’t play. Jakub Moder is out with a knee injury. Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo could both pass fitness tests and make the team.
Full-back Tariq Lamptey is unlikely to play due to a knee problem. Jeremy Sarmiento is ruled out of the match.
Spurs claimed a win earlier this season at the Amex and could do it once more against Brighton at home. Tottenham’s quality should rise to the top with a 3-2 victory over Brighton. The pressure to make the top six and the upcoming FA Cup semifinal could get to the Seagulls.