Tottenham Hotspur head to Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow badly in need of a result. While a draw would be somewhat welcome, especially the current three game losing streak, this is one of those matches where they really need to take all three points. If Spurs are serious about contending for the league title this season, then they can’t afford to be dropping points in matches such as these.
Spurs, who now sit fifth in the table, will be without a couple of key players in this clash against the league’s 13th side.
Team captain and No. 1 Hugo Lloris remains out due to a thigh injury. Moussa Sissoko (knee) is back in training and faces a late fitness, as does Dele Alli. The latter has recovered from a hamstring issue could feature in this one, but probably isn’t likely to start.
Elsewhere, defenders Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier will return to the squad after being rested for the 2-1 loss at Inter Milan in UEFA Champions League group play.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, currently on the longest skid of his time at the north London side, knows that his team needs to come correct here.
”The only way we can stop that (criticism) is winning games and if we don’t win everyone is going to criticize more than now,” the Argentine said.
“And you know what is going to happen when we don’t win games, the first [person] responsible is me. I am so relaxed. In football something happens, the situation is that I am going to give my best until the end.”
Flipping over to the other touchline, German midfielder Pascal Gross, a long term absentee, should be the only player out in for Brighton. He’s been out since he suffered an ankle injury against Fulham right before the international break.
Winger Jose Izquierdo and forward Florin Andone have returned to fitness and could be set to make their 2018-19 debuts.
Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kick-off: 5.30 pm (BST), Saturday 22 Sept
Odds via Betfair: Tottenham 8/11, Draw 29/10, Brighton 15/4
Prediction: Tottenham 2, Brighton 1
Feel free to post your own Seagulls and/or Spurs starting XI predictions, as well as your best guess as to what the final score will be.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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