Tottenham Hotspur host Brighton on Sunday aiming to secure their first league home win of the season. 

This stat may be misleading, as Spurs’ start to the campaign has been impressive – picking up 11 points from the six opening games but have let leads slip to Newcastle United and West Ham United at home.

The Seagulls have struggled so far, only putting five points on the board and having one win to show for it. Graham Potter will be hoping to change the tide and pull off an unexpected result in North London. 

Jose Mourinho will sense this as the perfect opportunity to dispatch any whispers of the disappointing home form, while also wanting to move on quickly from the 1-0 defeat to Royal Antwerp on Thursday. 

  • Team News 


Tottenham’s XI almost picks itself after Mourinho slammed his squad following the poor performance in the Europa League and suggested he will be less inclined to rotate in the future. 


Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguilon are expected to start at full-back, and the only real question is who will partner the in-form duo of Harry Kane and Heung Min-Son. Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura, and Gareth Bale are all in contention. 


Tanguy Ndombele is set to be assessed on Saturday after missing the Europa League tie with muscle fatigue, but if the Frenchman is fit – he will start. Mourinho admitted that Spurs missed his quick passing on Thursday. 


Dele Alli looks set to be absent from the squad, while Japhet Tanganga is the only player sidelined as he is still recovering from his thigh injury. 


Davy Propper could make his return to the squad after his Achilles injury as he has returned to training this week. 


Alireza Jahanbakhsh will not be back for the affair, and captain Lewis Dunk serves the second of a three-match ban following his red card in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in the game before last. 

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  • Ones to watch 


Tottenham: Harry Kane (Heung Min-Son)


Cheating? Possibly. But this season – one can’t be mentioned without the other. They now come as a pair.


 Son has the most goals in the league (8) and Kane has the most assists (8). 


The England captain has already beaten his best assist return, with 32 games to go. Seven of the eight assists have been for Son.


The pair now have 29 combined goals in the Premier League, which puts them second on the all-time list - only with Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba to beat on 36. 


Everything Spurs do well in this game will no doubt involve these two, and if the duo link-up as we’ve seen them it could be a long afternoon for Brighton. 


Brighton: Neal Maupay


If the Seagulls are to gain any points, it will more than likely through their 24-year-old French striker.

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After achieving 33 goals and assists for Brentford in 2018/2019, it was no surprise when he was snapped up by a Premier League team. He has since gone onto be the focal point of Brighton’s attack.


He scored ten goals last season and was a bit catalyst for their end of the season run which saw them avoid relegation. Despite the underwhelming start, the 24-year-old has started this campaign well – grabbing four goals in six games. 


The Frenchman represents a modern forward, as he drops into the lines to allow his wingers to be pinned up against opposing full-backs.

 
On the ball, he is a dangerous prospect. The striker is lightning quick and has brilliant dribbling skills. 


Spurs' defensive vulnerabilities are no secret but will have to be on their game to silence Maupay in this game. 

  • 2019/2020


This fixture last season saw mixed success for both teams. 


In October, at the Amex Stadium, Brighton defeated Tottenham 3-0 in a game which proved to be massive in the long-term.

Maupay scored the opener, and then Aaron Connolly grabbed an impressive brace. 


It was a dire showing from Spurs and was a game which was a huge catalyst for the demise of Mauricio Pochettino, and only weeks later he was replaced by Mourinho. 


However, in North London, Spurs came out 2-1 winners on boxing day but did not do it in a routine fashion.

Adam Webster opened the scoring, but goals from Kane and Dele made sure the points went to Mourinho. 

  • Predicted Line-Ups 


Tottenham predicted line-up (4-3-3): Lloris; Doherty, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon; Sissoko, Hojbjerg, Ndombele; Lucas, Kane, Son.

Brighton predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Ryan; Webster, Veltman, Burn; Lamptey, White, Bissouma, March; Lallana, Trossard; Maupay.

  • Where to watch 

The game is live exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office, for £14.95. It kicks off at 19:15. 

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