English Premier League: The first of Matchday 35 – Brighton vs. Tottenham

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Chris Hughton, Manager of Brighton and Hove Albion embrace prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium on December 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Chris Hughton, Manager of Brighton and Hove Albion embrace prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium on December 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The first of two fixtures to be played midweek of Matchday 35 takes place later this evening when Tottenham travels to the Falmer stadium and take on Brighton.

Both teams return to action after suffering defeat in their respective fixtures over the weekend. Brighton off the back of a rivalry match between them and Crystal Palace. Whereas Spurs, returns after a bitter loss to title holders, Manchester City.

The reason these two encounters are being played ahead of the weekend, is because of Manchester United and Tottenham’s inclusion in the FA Cup semifinals match between the two on Saturday coming.

Brighton lacking in results

The Seagulls have been experiencing a horrid time in the finals stages of their Premier League campaign. No wins since their brilliant upset against Wenger’s Arsenal, just over a month ago.

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Since then they’ve only managed to draw one game and lose the rest. To make matter worse for the home side – they’ve only accumulated four goals, with two of them coming in Saturday’s loss to Palace.

The firepower has been missing for the Seagulls. If they are to take anything from the game later this evening, they have to take their chances and be efficient in front of goal. Chris Hughton’s men has only registered 10 shots on target, out of the 43 taken.

This stat alone supported by the amount of goals conceded , gives the hosts nothing to be positive about and everything to be worried about. They are seven points above third last and there’s 15 points left to play for.

Now’s not the time to stop the progress and try to get some draws in and around tough opponents. A draw would be the most realistic result for Brighton.

Tottenham on route to the Farmer stadium

The biggest pill to swallow for the visitors – their amazing unsubdued run of 14 games came to a Citizens halt and now it’s time for them to start back at one. Why Mauricio Pochettino needs his North London side to get the three points in this one – is to keep up with rivals Liverpool in the race for third place.

If Spurs win this fixture they move level on point with Klopp’s Liverpool, but stay in fourth place because of the goal difference between the two. Liverpool’s goal difference is far more superior than what Spurs’ is.

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There’s not much one can say about Spurs with their first hiccup coming only to Man City in recent days, in the league campaign. Besides there stumble against the champions – they were able to score two or more goals in consecutive fixtures.

The stats point in favour of a Spurs win as nothing suggest they will be as bad as their North London rivals, although they do go in this clash with many injuries to first team players. Kane will be after the only other trophy Spurs are after – so we expecting him to be on the prowl for goals.

Question stands… Whose goal will he claim this time if he fails to score?

Score Prediction: Brighton 0-3 Tottenham