Prediction: Brighton and Hove Albion vs Tottenham Hotspur

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: Betfair

Tottenham Hotspur will aim to make it six wins in a row across all competitions when they visit Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex on Sunday. Since their North London derby defeat to Arsenal, Ange Postecoglou’s men have been on a strong run, including a narrow 2-1 Europa League triumph over Ferencvaros.

In contrast, Brighton come into the clash having had a week to recover from their 4-2 defeat to Chelsea. Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls will be eager to bounce back after being outclassed by the Blues, but they face a tough test against an in-form Spurs side who are riding high on confidence and consistency.

Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton briefly enjoyed a strong start against Chelsea in gameweek six with Georginio Rutter scoring early, but they were soon outclassed by a historic performance from Cole Palmer, who netted four goals in one half, a Premier League first. Despite a consolation goal from Carlos Baleba, the Seagulls fell to their first defeat under Fabian Hurzeler.

Brighton have been unpredictable this season, balancing attacking flair with defensive frailties. They have both scored and conceded multiple goals in their last three outings but have only won twice in their last eight Premier League home games. The Seagulls sit ninth in the table, one point behind Tottenham, making Sunday’s clash a potentially pivotal fixture for both sides.

Historically, this encounter has not seen many draws, with the last 13 meetings between Brighton and Spurs producing a winner. Last season’s meetings were split, with Brighton winning 4-2 at home and Tottenham responding with a 2-1 victory in February. Given Brighton’s recent form and commitment to entertaining matches, this one promises to be another thrilling encounter.

Team News

Hurzeler provided a mixed injury update ahead of their clash with Tottenham on Sunday. James Milner (thigh), Brajan Gruda (unspecified), and Joel Veltman (illness) could return to the fold, along with Solly March, who has been out long-term with a knee injury. However, the Seagulls will still be without Joao Pedro (ankle), Matt O’Riley (ankle), and Jan Paul van Hecke (unspecified). Simon Adingra is a doubt but may be available from the bench.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old midfielder Carlos Baleba, fresh off his historic goal and assist performance at Chelsea, will continue to anchor the midfield alongside Jack Hinshelwood.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham were given a much tougher time by Ferencvaros in the Europa League than in their dominant Premier League win over Manchester United last weekend. Admittedly, they did field a second-string XI, but Spurs held on for a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Pape Sarr and the in-form Brennan Johnson. Barnabas Varga netted late for the Hungarian champions, but Tottenham’s youthful side—featuring four teenagers—saw out the win.

Now, Ange Postecoglou will turn to a more experienced lineup to continue their impressive run, with Spurs aiming for a sixth consecutive win across all competitions. Their recent Premier League triumphs over Brentford (3-1) and Manchester United (3-0) have bolstered their position, propelling them up to eighth in the table.

However, their away form has been inconsistent, and a win at the Amex Stadium would mark their first back-to-back away victories in the Premier League in 12 months.

Team News

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie were both sidelined for the win over Ferencvaros due to recent knocks. While Udogie is expected to return, Son is unlikely to be available for the clash against Brighton. In his absence, there have been calls for Postecoglou to start 17-year-old Mikey Moore after his promising midweek performance, but the Spurs boss may opt for the more experienced but inconsistent Timo Werner instead.

Tottenham are also missing attacking options Wilson Odobert and Richarlison due to injury, leaving Dominic Solanke to lead the line following his recent call-up to the England squad after a seven-year absence.

At the back, Radu Dragusin is back from his Europa League suspension, but the defensive partnership of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will likely remain intact.

Conclusion

Both Brighton and Tottenham have been involved in goal-filled encounters recently, and given their attacking prowess, it’s likely that both teams will find the back of the net once again on Sunday.

The last three meetings between these sides have seen both teams score, and Brighton’s entertaining yet inconsistent form this season suggests another high-scoring contest could be on the cards. As for Spurs, their attacking form has been impressive lately, and they should be able to outscore the Seagulls.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: Betfair