Chris Sutton says he expects Tottenham Hotspur to become only the second Premier League team to win at the Amex this season when they travel to the south coast to take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.
The Seagulls have won four times, drawn four times and lost just once in the Premier League so far this season, against West Ham in August. Roberto De Zerba’s charges are currently winless in their last three matches and will no doubt be desperate for a win against Spurs in front of their home fans.
But Sutton, who predicts this week’s Premier League games for the BBC, reckons Tottenham will win 3-2 to give Ange Postecoglou’s men a fourth consecutive victory and keep their grip on the top four ahead of the New Year.
“Tottenham are still in the title fight, but they were a bit lucky to hold on and beat Everton, and you don’t know at the moment what will happen with Brighton – good or bad.
“The Seagulls have lost some of the sparkle they had last season but they have only lost once at home in the Premier League and I can see the Spurs pushing all the way.”
Spurs may have to play Brighton without Cristian Romero or Richarlison as their injury status needs to be assessed. Both players had to leave the game during Spurs’ hard-fought 2-1 win over Everton due to hamstring and back injuries respectively.
Brighton also have injury problems, as Kaoru Mitoma suffered an ankle problem during the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. The Japanese winger joins a long list of players currently on the sidelines, including Ansu Fati, Julio Encisa, Solly March, Pervis Estupinan, Joel Veltman, Adam Webster and Tariq Lamptey.