EPL: Tottenham v Brighton preview
Tottenham v Brighton preview
Tottenham could return to the top four of the Premier League with a second win in five days when they host Brighton at Wembley.
Mauricio Pochettino's side ended a run of four league games without a victory in emphatic style with a 5-1 demolition of Stoke on Saturday - Harry Kane's two goals taking him to 50 in 2017 in all competitions - to leave them two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.
Despite their struggles at Wembley, Spurs are only two points worse off after 16 games compared to last season and have a Champions League last-16 tie against Juventus to look forward to in the new year.
Spurs have also done well in December and January under the Argentine, embarking on a nine-game winning streak last season that prompted their title challenge.
Former Spurs favourite Chris Hughton takes his Brighton team to north-west London desperate to arrest a poor run of form.
The south coast side have lost three of their last four, with the 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield at the weekend leaving them four points above the relegation zone.
Team news
Pochettino could hand a first start of the season to Erik Lamela after his long injury lay-off.
The Argentine has come off the bench in Spurs' last three Premier League games, having spent 13 months on the sidelines with a troublesome hip injury, and Pochettino told reporters Lamela "has a chance" from the off.
Victor Wanyama has returned to training following a knee injury but is not yet ready to be considered, while Davinson Sanchez is suspended and defender Toby Alderweireld remains absent with a hamstring injury that is now expected to keep him out until February.
Hughton has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the national stadium.
Steve Sidwell remains the only absentee as he continues his rehabilitation from a back problem, with Brighton looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield three days ago.
Anthony Knockaert could return to the starting XI after he missed out against the Terriers.
Despite their struggles at Wembley, Spurs are only two points worse off after 16 games compared to last season and have a Champions League last-16 tie against Juventus to look forward to in the new year.
Spurs have also done well in December and January under the Argentine, embarking on a nine-game winning streak last season that prompted their title challenge.
Former Spurs favourite Chris Hughton takes his Brighton team to north-west London desperate to arrest a poor run of form.
The south coast side have lost three of their last four, with the 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield at the weekend leaving them four points above the relegation zone.
Team news
Pochettino could hand a first start of the season to Erik Lamela after his long injury lay-off.
The Argentine has come off the bench in Spurs' last three Premier League games, having spent 13 months on the sidelines with a troublesome hip injury, and Pochettino told reporters Lamela "has a chance" from the off.
Victor Wanyama has returned to training following a knee injury but is not yet ready to be considered, while Davinson Sanchez is suspended and defender Toby Alderweireld remains absent with a hamstring injury that is now expected to keep him out until February.
Hughton has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the national stadium.
Steve Sidwell remains the only absentee as he continues his rehabilitation from a back problem, with Brighton looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield three days ago.
Anthony Knockaert could return to the starting XI after he missed out against the Terriers.