Fifth hosts sixth in an intriguing Premier League encounter on Saturday afternoon, as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to North London. Cristian Stellini’s men were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on Monday night, while the Seagulls’ journey across the South Coast was a worthwhile one, as they eased past Bournemouth 2-0.
Team News:
Tottenham attacker and soon-to-be free agent Lucas had only been on the pitch for six minutes before seeing red against Everton, and the Brazilian now begins a three-game domestic ban, although his chances of starting this one were slim to none anyway.
Joining Moura on the absentee list are Emerson Royal (knee), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Ben Davies (hamstring), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Yves Bissouma (ankle), while Richarlison (calf) was unable to face his former club on Monday but might force his way back in for this one.
Despite putting in yet another underwhelming display last time out, Son Heung-min should continue to support Kane, who sits on 98 Premier League home goals and could soon become the first-ever Premier League player to notch a century home and away.
Meanwhile, Seagulls hearts were in mouths when Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo had to come off with knocks against Bournemouth, but De Zerbi is confident that neither man sustained anything serious and is hopeful that they can make swift returns here.
All of Adam Lallana (thigh), Jakub Moder (knee) and Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle) remain out for the visitors, who must also carefully assess Tariq Lamptey, whose situation is a “difficult” one according to De Zerbi as he attempts to bounce back from a knee issue.
With Mac Allister and Caicedo’s withdrawals at Bournemouth being largely precautionary than anything else, De Zerbi should be able to put out an unaltered XI in North London, as Adam Webster forces Levi Colwill to watch on from the bench again.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Porro, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Perisic; Kulusevski, Kane, Son
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Ferguson
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
With Brighton possessing an affinity for 3pm goals and Spurs failing to keep the back door closed in afternoon contests – conceding an average of two per game at that time – the stage is set for a North London upset this weekend.
The injury-riddled Lilywhites experienced little in the way of a new manager bounce at Goodison Park, and with Brighton finding the back of the net for fun on rival territory, the Seagulls can feel wholly optimistic of coming away with all three points in the bag and sparking more furore in the capital.
