Here is how Tottenham could line up against Brighton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur lock horns with Brighton and Hove Albion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night, as Roberto De Zerbi meets his former employers.
Spurs are fighting for their Premier League lives and against a first-ever relegation. They sit two points adrift of safety with just six matches to go on their fixture list. Roberto De Zerbi failed to spark a new-manager bounce as his side were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last weekend.
Marginal improvements may have been visible in their play against Sunderland, but Tottenham need points to stay up. Winless in 14 Premier League matches, De Zerbi faces a tough task of turning around the club’s fortunes. Brighton sit ninth in the Premier League, and are well in the hunt for European football under Fabian Hurzeler. They have won five of their last six games and can pile more misery on Tottenham.
That said, here is the predicted Tottenham lineup for their upcoming clash against Brighton.
Goalkeeper: Antonin Kinsky
Guglielmo Vicario missed the Sunderland game as he didn’t recover fully from hernia surgery. As he is still a doubt, De Zerbi is expected to stick with Antonin Kinsky in goal. Kinsky had a solid game in goal last weekend but was unlucky not to keep a clean sheet.
Defence: Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie
Tottenham skipper Cristian Romero suffered a season-ending knee injury at Sunderland, meaning De Zerbi will be forced to make alterations in defence. The reliable Kevin Danso is likely to come in for the injured Romero in the first XI and partner Micky van de Ven in central defence. The duo will have the task of keeping the in-form Danny Welbeck quiet.
Meanwhile, Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie are set to continue as the full-backs, hoping to contribute adequately at both ends of the pitch.
Midfield: Archie Gray, Conor Gallagher, Xavi Simons
The midfield trio of Archie Gray, Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall did not work out in the defeat at Sunderland. Spurs were ponderous in possession and lacked incisiveness to trouble the hosts, which is why De Zerbi could make a change on Saturday. He could opt for Xavi Simons to operate in the No.10 role at the expense of Bergvall.
Simons barely got minutes to impact the game after coming on as a substitute against Sunderland. The Dutchman’s creativity, movement and incisiveness will be key in unlocking the well-drilled Brighton defence. The likes of Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Joao Palhinha could make an impact off the bench in the second half.
Attack: Mathys Tel, Dominic Solanke, Richarlison
Dominic Solanke endured a terrible afternoon vs. Sunderland. Richarlison and Kolo Muani weren’t great either, which could prompt a change in the front three.
Kolo Muani may make way for Mathys Tel, whose directness, dribbling and pace off the left flank can be a potent weapon for the hosts. Despite an underwhelming display last time out, Solanke should keep his place up top, with Richarlison operating from the right wing.
If Tel, Richarlison and Solanke can combine well and produce decisive moments in the final third, Tottenham can get the better of Brighton.