Tottenham and Brighton will be looking to the Capital One Cup for some relief as both sides struggled to get form in the league. Wednesday night see's the two sides meet at White Hart Lane with a place in the quarter final awaiting the victors.
Mauricio Pochettino's reign at the helm of Tottenham started well, four competitive wins out of four and only one goal conceded was reminiscent of the start Andre Villas Boas had at Spurs last season. And we all know how that ended up. Roll forward nearly two months, Pochettino and his side sit just three points above the relegation zone, and visitors Brighton haven't had it as easy either.
It's been a tough start for Sami Hyypia as Brighton boss, as the Seagulls have failed to win a league match since August, and are just two points above the relegation zone following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Rotherham. The ex-Liverpool defender will be without Andrew Crofts (knee) and Dale Stephens (ankle) who are both long-term absentees. Kazenga Lua Lua will make his return from suspension for the game.
Pochettino has surprisingly criticised the size of the White Hart Lane playing surface for the sides poor form of late, and has also spoke of the importance of killing the game off early: “We need to make our task easier on the pitch by trying to kill the game as early as we can, we've no choice but to go forward now. When you get criticism, you have to face it. Every single one of us has to look forward and fight for the team and the club and that's what we are going to do."
He will be without Kyle Walker as expected as he recovers from a long term injury; Younes Kaboul is to be rested while Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to return from an upset stomach which forced the Togo forward to be subbed at half time on Sunday during the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.