Tottenham Hotspur will head into their upcoming fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion this Sunday with the goal of extending their remarkable winning run to six consecutive victories across all competitions. After a challenging start to the season, Spurs have rebounded strongly, and their recent performances have impressed fans and pundits alike. Since their North London derby defeat, Tottenham have shown resilience and quality, delivering a series of dominant results that have positioned them as one of the most in-form teams in English football.
One of the standout moments of Tottenham’s resurgence was their emphatic 3-0 victory over Manchester United last week at Old Trafford. This performance not only highlighted the attacking prowess of Ange Postecoglou’s side but also underscored their growing confidence under his leadership. Their dominance in that game, particularly against a United side known for its strength at home, demonstrated how far Spurs have come in a short span of time. On top of their domestic success, Tottenham has also maintained a flawless record in the Europa League, securing back-to-back wins in their opening two group-stage matches, further boosting the team’s morale as they head into this crucial Premier League clash.
However, their opponents Brighton & Hove Albion, despite a bright start to the season, are currently experiencing a dip in form. Managed by Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton initially appeared to be one of the dark horses of the campaign, winning their first two matches and remaining unbeaten in their opening five fixtures. During this early stretch, the Seagulls looked like a team ready to challenge for a top-half finish, with their high-energy, pressing style of play catching the eye. Unfortunately for Brighton, that early momentum has faltered, and they now find themselves winless in their last four games, a streak that includes some disappointing results both home and away.
As Brighton prepare to host Tottenham at the Amex Stadium, there’s a sense of anticipation surrounding whether the Seagulls can shake off their recent struggles and rise to the occasion against one of the Premier League’s in-form teams. The clash is set to be a tactical battle between two managers known for their attacking philosophies, making it a must-watch for neutral fans and football purists alike.
Football pundit Chris Sutton has offered his thoughts on the upcoming contest, predicting that fans are in for a thrilling encounter. Writing for *BBC Sport*, Sutton suggested that the match could end in a high-scoring 3-3 draw. He believes that both Tottenham and Brighton’s tactical setups—specifically their preference for playing with high defensive lines—will create an open, attacking game with plenty of chances at both ends of the pitch. In fact, Sutton has humorously referred to the fixture as the “high-line derby” due to the similar strategies employed by Postecoglou and Hurzeler, both of whom favor an aggressive approach to pressing and building attacks from the back.
“I love watching Spurs, and I feel the same about Brighton at the moment,” Sutton wrote. “This game could easily be called the ‘high-line derby’ because of the way both teams set up. It’s going to be a brilliant game for the neutral fans, with plenty of goal-scoring opportunities on both sides.”
Sutton’s analysis also touched on Brighton’s current struggles, particularly in light of their recent 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, which marked Hurzeler’s first loss since taking the helm. Despite their recent downturn, Sutton is confident that Brighton will pose a significant challenge to Tottenham. “Brighton lost for the first time under Hurzeler last week, so this match is all about how they respond. Can they cause Tottenham problems? Absolutely,” Sutton remarked. He went on to emphasize the importance of consistency for Tottenham, who will need to follow up their outstanding performance against Manchester United with another strong showing on the road. “For Tottenham, it’s about maintaining the level they showed in that win over Manchester United. If they can do that, they’ll be tough to beat.”
While Sutton expects a competitive game, he stopped short of predicting a Tottenham victory, instead suggesting that Brighton could salvage a draw. “I’m expecting goals, but I actually think Brighton will manage to get something from this game,” he added. Sutton also hinted that Spurs might be on the verge of delivering an overwhelming performance against an opponent soon: “I’ve had a feeling that Spurs are going to give someone a real thrashing sooner or later, but I don’t think it will happen this weekend.”
Team News: Brighton vs. Tottenham
As the teams prepare for Sunday’s match, both managers are dealing with significant injury concerns that could affect their selection decisions. Brighton, in particular, have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks. Jan Paul van Hecke is the latest player to be sidelined, joining an already lengthy list of absentees that includes key players such as Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra, James Milner, Solly March, and Matty O’Riley. This string of injuries has forced Hurzeler to make adjustments to his lineup, often relying on younger or less experienced players to fill in the gaps. However, Brighton will be buoyed by the return of Joel Veltman, who missed the defeat to Chelsea due to illness but is expected to be available for selection against Tottenham.
On the Tottenham side, Ange Postecoglou is likely to be without one of his most influential players, captain Son Heung-min. The South Korean forward has missed the last two matches due to a hamstring injury, and although there is hope he will return soon, it appears unlikely that he will be fit in time for Sunday’s game. In addition to Son, Tottenham also have injury concerns surrounding left-back Destiny Udogie, who was substituted during the Manchester United match with what appeared to be a minor knock. However, reports suggest that Udogie’s injury is not serious, and there is optimism that he could feature against Brighton. Meanwhile, forwards Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are set to remain sidelined as they continue to recover from their respective injuries.
With both teams missing key players, the match could hinge on how well their replacements perform under pressure. Brighton will be eager to end their winless streak and get back to the form that saw them impress in the early part of the season, while Tottenham will be looking to keep their momentum going and extend their winning run. For fans, the encounter at the Amex Stadium promises to deliver excitement, drama, and plenty of goals in what could be one of the weekend’s most entertaining fixtures.