Tottenham host Brighton this afternoon knowing that they need to win if they stand any chance of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
It has been a nightmare season for Spurs and could end in horrifying fashion if they cannot find a way to end their win drought and move up the table. They are currently sat 18th, inside the relegation zone, but have not won a league match since a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the end of December.
Roberto De Zerbi has been brought in to be bring stability to the club after both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor were sacked from the head coach role but his tenure started with a loss to Sunderland after Nordi Mukiele’s second half strike.
Spurs are also up against a strong team in Brighton who entered the weekend in ninth just two points behind sixth placed Chelsea. Sixth is likely to secure European football next year so the Seagulls still have it all to play for and will want to build on their run of victories when they head to London today.
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Hurzeler’s messages with De Zerbi
Fabian Hurzeler, in his pre-match press conference, said that Roberto De Zerbi wished him well when he arrived at Brighton as the new Spurs head coach’s replacement.
“When I started here, we had some messages, some phone calls,” Hurzeler said.
“I congratulated him for what he achieved and then it was more about getting an understanding of the players, the environment and how things are working here.
“I think everyone who worked with him is looking forward to seeing him at the weekend. He deserves the praise, but we will both put the focus on trying to win the game.”
Brentford miss chance to break into top six as Fulham force drab goalless draw Brentford
Here’s what went down in today’s early kick-off between Brentford and Fulham…
Wasteful Brentford missed a chance to climb into the top six as they were held to a goalless draw by west London neighbours Fulham.
A drab derby ended in stalemate after Bees top scorer Igor Thiago hit the goal frame, Keane Lewis-Potter blazed a glorious chance over and Bernd Leno made a stunning last-minute save from Dango Ouattara.
A fifth straight draw keeps them in the European shake-up, however, as well as ending a run of three consecutive defeats by their rivals from along the Thames.
Roberto De Zerbi says dinner is on him if Tottenham secure Premier League survival
“Yes, I don’t know if we win the game for dinner. I know we eat very well. The food was amazing and if we win, I am ready to pay every week for one dinner,” De Zerbi remarked with a smile.
“We have to build and find in these last weeks the best relationship we can find, and I want to see on the pitch players helping their team-mates and pushing everybody for one target and to achieve our big, big target for us. If we don’t achieve our target, everybody will lose something in their career.
“I am positive, I am ready to fight and I believe to keep Premier League (status). I believe in my words that I said last week. The focus is to win one game.
“Yes, I think it is crucial to win a game not just for the table. Of course one part of the table for sure, but we have to feel again what is nice to win a game and what it can do. I have no doubts about the quality of the players.”
Predicted line-ups
Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie, Gray, Gallagher, Tel, Simons, Richarlison, Solanke
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Ayari, Gross, Gomez, Hinshelwood, Minteh, Welbeck
Brighton team news
Brighton are without captain Lewis Dunk, who is serving a suspension after picking up too many yellows, while the game is likely to come too soon for Adam Webster as he recovers from a knee injury.
But James Milner could be in line for a return after sustaining a minor issue in training before the Burnley game.
Tottenham team news
Cristian Romero joined the likes of long-term absentees James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski after suffering a season-ending knee injury against Sunderland.
The game comes too soon for Mohammed Kudus and first-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario, who – in some light at the end of the tunnel – are expected to return by the end of the month.
Rodrigo Bentancur could be back in contention after returning to training.
Is Tottenham vs Brighton on TV?
Tottenham host Brighton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 18 April, with kick-off at 5.30pm BST.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the game on Sky Sports Main Event. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Tottenham vs Brighton LIVE!
It has been a nightmare season for Spurs and could end in horrifying fashion if they cannot find a way to end their win drought and move up the table. They are currently sat 18th, inside the relegation zone, but have not won a league match since a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the end of December.
Roberto De Zerbi has been brought in to be bring stability to the club after both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor were sacked from the head coach role but his tenure started with a loss to Sunderland after Nordi Mukiele’s second half strike.
Spurs are also up against a strong team in Brighton who entered the weekend in ninth just two points behind sixth placed Chelsea. Sixth is likely to secure European football next year so the Seagulls still have it all to play for and will want to build on their run of victories when they head to London today.
