Premier League: Tottenham Keen on Keeping Their Title Hopes Alive

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham are suddenly back in the Premier League title mix, given their positive run of Premier League 2023 results, which has elevated them back into the top four.

Spurs have won their last three league games, and they’re looking to make it four straight when they visit Brighton at the AMEX Stadium this Thursday.

On the other hand, Brighton’s league form has been patchy at best lately, and they are planning to put a stop to their three-game winless run to avoid further falling down the standings since they’re already in ninth place.

With two more games left before the New Year, Brighton and Tottenham would like to finish the year strong, so SBOTOP football fans should expect nothing less from both sides.

Talking Points

Richarlison picking up form at Spurs

After a lacklustre start to the 2023-24 campaign, Richarlison is back at his best, which couldn’t come at a better time for the Spurs.

The Brazilian hitman has been one of their catalysts for their three-game winning streak, scoring four goals in this period and improving to second place in the team’s scoring chart with six goals this season.

Against Everton on Saturday, Richarlison was subbed off in the second half due to a sore back, which had Tottenham supporters understandably worried, given their alarming injury list.

However, manager Ange Postecoglou allayed the fans’ fears, saying that replacing Richarlison was merely precautionary, so the striker should play against the Seagulls.

This is also the case for Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero, who was also withdrawn at halftime due to a hamstring knock.

Moreover, Destiny Udogie, who has finished serving his one-match suspension against the Toffees, is set to return this weekend, which is going to be a huge boost for the Spurs’ defence.

Buonanotte can give Brighton a boost

Like Tottenham, Brighton are also dealing with a raft of injuries, and their latest one is their biggest blow yet.

Kaoru Mitoma suffered an ankle injury during their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace last time out, and the image of him leaving Selhurst Park on crutches raises fears about him potentially facing a long spell on the sidelines.

If Mitoma will sit out their next couple of games, Facundo Buonanotte is poised to take the Japanese’s starting left wing spot to join the likes of Simon Adingra, Joao Pedro, and Pascal Groß up front.

Roberto De Zerbi has spoken highly of Buonanotte because he was arguably Brighton’s best player against Crystal Palace, along with Danny Welbeck, who scored the late equaliser.

But while they’re settled up front, Brighton’s backline needs to improve if they are to move further up the table since they have yet to record a clean sheet in 22 straight league games, which is the longest run in their history.

History

Tottenham managed to record a league double against Brighton last season via an aggregate tally of 3-1, and they’ve done it under two different managers.

In their first meeting in October 2022, Harry Kane scored the marginal goal to give Antonio Conte a 1-0 win. And in April earlier this year, Cristian Stellini came away with a 2-1 win before he was ultimately sacked 15 days later.

Harry Kane once again scored the winning goal for Spurs during the 79^th minute, but the bigger talking point was the ejections of Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi, as the two bosses went at each other the whole time.

Since losing 3-1 to West Ham United in August, Brighton are actually undefeated in their last seven Premier League home games (W3, D4).

However, they have lost their last three games of the calendar year to London clubs (Arsenal both in 2020 and 2022, and Chelsea in 2021).

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2023 odds expect a tight contest between Tottenham and Brighton, although hopefully it won’t be as heated as last time.

Tottenham were given the slight edge at 2.40, while Brighton are right behind them at 2.47 odds, and a draw is priced at 3.58 in the 1X2 market.

Total Goal 2-3 should be enough for Tottenham to get the three points, and it is installed at 2.17. However, if you feel that this is going to be a low-scoring tiff, then why not go for Total Goal 0-1 at 5.30?

Brighton aren’t expected to end their clean sheet drought soon, so other than the previous bets that we’ve mentioned, another alternative to think about is Correct Score 2-1 in favour of Spurs at 9.50.

 

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