Brighton & Hove Albion vs Tottenham Hotspur
Kick-off: Tuesday April 17, 19:45 Venue: AMEX Stadium
Tottenham head to Brighton for a reunion with former player and coach Chris Hughton knowing victory will confirm a second successive season finishing above Arsenal.
Manchester City’s 3-1 win at Wembley proved decisive in the title race in light of Manchester United’s shock 1-0 reverse at the hands of West Brom. However, it may not have as significant a bearing on Spurs’ Champions League hopes, as they remain seven points ahead of Chelsea and can take a big leap towards qualification here.
While Pep Guardiola’s side inflicted the Lilywhites’ first league loss of the calendar year, Brighton have only slipped up just four times at home all season.
The Seagulls should be safe as they have a seven-point cushion between themselves and the drop zone – they are 13th in the Premier League table - but they have about the most difficult run-in imaginable. Following Tottenham’s visit, they still have Burnley, United, City, and Liverpool to play, so the earlier they can ensure survival beyond doubt, the better.
The last time they notched three points on the board came against north London opposition when they beat Arsenal 2-1 in early March.
It will be just 72 hours since his side were last in action, so Mauricio Pochettino may choose to make some alterations to his starting line-up, with one eye on the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United this weekend.
Team news
Toby Alderweireld was left out of the matchday squad for the third week in a row against City. In his place, Davinson Sanchez didn’t have one of his better games but he is likely to retain his place regardless. The Colombian will partner Jan Vertonghen, despite the defender appearing to pull a muscle in his back in Saturday evening’s game.
Serge Aurier is expected to replace Kieran Trippier, with the latter struggling with fatigue while on the other side of the back four, Danny Rose (calf) will have to undergo a late fitness test. Harry Winks and Kyle Walker-Peters are sidelined.
Despite suffering a 3-2 defeat in the derby with Crystal Palace, Brighton did receive one bit of positive news with the return of Anthony Knockaert. Davy Propper, whose appeal for his sending off against Huddersfield was unsuccessful, will serve the second of his three-match ban.
Expected line-ups: Brighton: Ryan, Schelotto, Dunk, Duffy, Bong, Locadia, Stephens, Kayal, Izquierdo, Gross, Murray
Tottenham: Lloris, Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Kane
Did you know?
Hughton has beaten his old club twice across his spells managing Newcastle, Birmingham, Norwich, and now Brighton – both wins were with the Canaries, one in the league and another in the League Cup.
Prediction
Brighton have proved more than once this season that they are capable of producing an upset, but City have been the only team to beat Spurs between now and late November. In fact, Leicester are the only non-top-six side to have overcome them home or away.
When the two met earlier in the campaign, Tottenham came out on top thanks to goals from Aurier and Son Heung-Min and they should continue their impressive away run. Brighton 1-2 Tottenham
