Brighton And Hove Albion will be hosting Tottenham Hotspur at the Falmer Stadium on Tuesday evening. The 34th Premier League game week comes at the time when both clubs can get pulled into potential danger positions with a loss on the night.
The Seagulls are in the 13th spot of the points table and are 7 points clear of the relegation zone. While surviving a season in the top-division looks favourable, anything can happen in the final stretch of the season.
Tottenham, on the other hand, just lost their 6th game in the league campaign against Manchester City and are secured in the top-four by 7 points. Chelsea are more than capable of bridging the gap if Mauricio Pochettino’s men start slipping in the final stage of the season in usual fashion.
They were expected to take advantage of a low morale City squad who had lost 3 games within a span of a week but instead was at the bitter end of another 1-3 thrashing right at their home turf.
Brighton are not on a blistering run themselves but have managed to keep their spot in the safe zone due to their impressive work earlier in the season. Albion have lost 4 of their last 5 league fixtures and are coming off a 3-2 defeat to relegation rivals, Crystal Palace.
Chris Hughton will be exceptionally challenged against a well-drilled top-four team. It did not end particularly well the last time these two sides faced off in the league. The Spurs triumphed 2-0 at Wembley.
Here is how the manager might field his team on gameday.
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence
Mathew Ryan should get the nod in between the sticks ahead of Tim Krul. The 26-year-old is averaging 3 saves per game and has registered 8 clean sheets this season.
Ezequiel Schelotto and Gaetan Bong will provide cover from the flanks. Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy might pair up in the centre-back role.
Midfield
Beram Kayal, Dale Stephens and Pascal Gross are expected to partner up in the middle of the park. The trio will be tested against the likes of Victor Wanyama, Moussa Dembele and Erik Lamela.
Attack
Anthony Knockaert returned from injury in the previous fixture and should start on the right wing. Jose Izquierdo is the predicted starter on the left with Glen Murray in the lone striker role.
The veteran has impressed with 12 goals this season and will be a solid physical presence in the Spurs half.
