TOUGH DECISION, BUT WORTH IT
Ange Postecoglou makes Mikey Moore decision as ‘amazing’ £45m man returns – Tottenham predicted XI v Brighton
Tottenham Hotspur will be aiming to extend their impressive form by securing a sixth consecutive victory across all competitions as they travel to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. Ange Postecoglou’s squad has shown significant improvement since their North London derby defeat, launching a consistent run of strong performances that has transformed the team’s momentum.
Following their 3-0 triumph at Manchester United last week, Tottenham have continued their dominance, recording two victories in the Europa League. This resurgence in form highlights Spurs’ ambitions for the season, both domestically and in Europe.
Their opponents, Brighton, began the season with high expectations and early success. Fabian Hurzeler’s side kicked off their campaign with two consecutive wins and went unbeaten in their first five matches. However, they have recently encountered a dip in form, failing to secure a win in their last four games. This downturn puts additional pressure on Brighton as they look to regain their early-season energy.
As Tottenham gear up for the clash on the south coast, TBR Football examines how Postecoglou might set up his squad for the fixture.
Tottenham Team News Ahead of Brighton Showdown
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Postecoglou provided some crucial updates on his squad’s fitness. Unfortunately for Spurs, captain Son Heung-min is expected to miss the match due to an ongoing muscle issue. Son sustained the injury during last week’s Europa League encounter against Qarabag and was subsequently sidelined for the victories over Manchester United and Ferencvaros.
However, there is good news regarding left-back Destiny Udogie. Udogie was forced off at half-time during Tottenham’s win at Old Trafford and was not included in the Europa League squad, but Postecoglou is optimistic that the defender will be available for the Brighton game.
“Out of the guys who stayed back, Destiny we think will be okay,” Postecoglou stated, according to the Evening Standard. “Sonny is unlikely; he’s pushing hard, but I don’t think the turnaround will be quick enough for him to feature this time.”
Postecoglou also confirmed that there are no significant updates regarding long-term absentees, meaning Spurs will have to continue managing without several key players.
Seven Changes Expected in Tottenham’s Line-Up
Given the latest injury updates and squad rotation considerations, TBR Football anticipates that Postecoglou will make up to seven changes to his starting eleven for the trip to Brighton, aiming to field a balanced and competitive team.
Guglielmo Vicario is expected to retain his spot in goal, with defenders Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven forming the core of the back line. Destiny Udogie is expected to slot back into his usual left-back role after recovering from his knock.
In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, and James Maddison could feature prominently. Maddison, in particular, has been crucial to Tottenham’s creative play this season, and his return to the starting XI could provide a much-needed spark against Brighton.
Up front, Dominic Solanke is likely to lead the line, supported by Brennan Johnson on the right wing and Timo Werner on the left. Solanke’s physical presence and Johnson’s pace will be key weapons for Spurs as they look to break down Brighton’s defense. Meanwhile, Werner’s versatility and eye for goal will add another dimension to the attack.
Although young talent Mikey Moore impressed on his full debut for Tottenham, it is expected that Postecoglou will opt to keep him on the bench for this fixture. The manager will likely want to avoid over-burdening the youngster with too many starts early in his development, especially with the busy fixture list ahead.
Predicted Tottenham Line-Up (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Vicario
Defenders: Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie
Midfielders: Bentancur, Kulusevski, Maddison
Forwards: Johnson, Solanke, Werner
With a potential sixth consecutive victory on the line, Postecoglou’s squad will look to maintain their winning streak, further solidifying their strong start to the season. Brighton, meanwhile, will be eager to reverse their recent struggles, making this clash an intriguing battle between two teams with much to prove.