Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton and Hove Albion Preview

After a run that has ended their hopes of winning the Premier League title, Tottenham have won their last two league and cup games scoring eight goals. They and Harry Kane will be looking for more goals as they host out-of-form Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley. November was a bit of a disaster for Tottenham as far as the Premier League was concerned.

Logo 2 TottenhamThey earned just four points from four games and only one from the last three. All a bit puzzling for a side that spent the rest of the month beating Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.  Thankfully, December has been a bit kinder to them so far with a draw at Watford, despite being reduced to ten men, then a 3-0 home win over APOEL Nicosia and a 5-1 hammering of Stoke City.

The form of Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son is helping them in their recovery. The latter has scored in his last three games and Kane has five in the past three weeks. All good signs for Tottenham who have only lost one of their last 12 games at Wembley and are unbeaten in their seven Premier League games at the national stadium, so much for the Wembley Hoodoo then.

They start the midweek fixtures in sixth place but at the weekend, the only team above them in the league that won were Manchester City. All good news for Spurs who are now only two points off the top four. This home game against Brighton and Hove Albion gives them a great chance to get another win.

BrightonThe south-coast side made a promising start to their first season in the Premier League but have struggled in recent weeks. They go into this game on a run of five games in a row without a Premier League win and have lost three of their last four. That’s seen them drop to 13th in the table and just four points above the bottom three.

Goals are a big problem for the Seagulls at present. The last four league games have seen them fail to score from open play with just one Glenn Murray penalty being scored. Getting hold of a striker in the January transfer window must be a key aim for Chris Hughton if he wants his side to stay up. This game begins a run of four matches all against sides in the top ten and their league position could become a lot more worrying by the time 2018 makes its appearance.

Conclusion

Tottenham should have their confidence restored after two comfortable home wins in the past week. Another three points against Brighton and Hove Albion will be a big help to their Champions League qualification hopes. It’s important to get this win considering their next two games are away at Manchester City and Burnley. Brighton and Hove Albion are starting to find life in the Premier League very tough. A loss at Huddersfield Town on Saturday was a major disappointment and the goals from open-play have dried up. Tottenham can win this on a -1 handicap.

The Key Stats

Last Five Premier League Results – Most recent first

Tottenham – WDLDL

Brighton and Hove Albion – LLDLD

Head to Head – Last Five League Meetings

02/04/1983 – Brighton and Hove Albion 2 Tottenham 1

28/12/1982 – Tottenham 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 0

09/03/1982 – Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Tottenham 3

24/10/1981 –  Tottenham 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 1

31/01/1981 – Brighton and Hove Albion 0 Tottenham 2

  • Tottenham are unbeaten in their last seven home Premier League games.
  • Tottenham have only won one of their last five Premier League games.
  • Tottenham have conceded in seven of their last eight Premier League games.
  • Tottenham have scored in their last nine home league and cup games.
  • Five of the last seven Tottenham home Premier League games have had under 2.5 goals scored in them.
  • Brighton and Hove Albion have gone five Premier League games without a win and have lost their last two.
  • Brighton and Hove Albion have only scored one goal in their last four Premier League games and that was a penalty.
  • Brighton and Hove Albion have only six points from their last seven Premier League matches.
  • Brighton and Hove Albion have failed to score in five of their eight away Premier League games.
  • Three of the last four Brighton and Hove Albion away Premier League games have had under 2.5 goals scored in them.