Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton and Hove Albion: Looking to Sink the Seagulls

tottenhamIt’s been a strange week: Deadline day produced two new signings while four members of the Spurs squad left for pastures new. It was logical that Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso should get some game time elsewhere while Tanguy Ndomebele had to escape after his dire display against Morecambe in the last round of the FA Cup.

All three have left on loan transfers but Dele Alli’s switch to Everton is a permanent one. It was widely felt that Dele might be sent out with a view to recovering some form and returning for one last chance at Tottenham. But it wasn’t to be and it’s left us feeling a little sad here.

Anyway, time to move on and look ahead to this Saturday’s Cup Tie. Graham Potter’s Brighton are the visitors for this 3pm kick as top flight football returns.

Team News

With a number of changes to the squad on deadline day, it will be interesting to see Antonio Conte’s starting XI for this 8pm kick off. In terms of the regular first team squad, they should be rested following the break but Tottenham have a busy schedule coming up with three home games in eight days.

Reports suggest that there is an outside chance that Son Heung-Min and/or Cristian Romero could make the squad for the Brighton game. Both are on schedule with Sonny back in training this week.

Beyond that, there are no reported issues with injury and no suspensions so Antonio could just have a full squad to select from.

Match Odds

Spurs are odds on for the win in 90 minutes with the best odds of 19/20 coming from Unibet. The draw is quoted at a top price of 13/5 with Betway and QuinnBet while victory for Brighton rounds things off at 3/1 with Coral and BetFred.

Those are the figures for the result in Normal Time and that means we have a separate To Qualify market which would take into account any extra time and beyond. Here, things are a little more clear cut with Tottenham some way ahead at 3/7 with VBet. Brighton, meanwhile, can be claimed at 17/10 with Betway.

Harry Kane

Harry Kane

The Seagulls made a positive start to the season and will come into this game in a respectable ninth place. Spurs are two places above but we have a six points advantage and have played two games less than our opponents.

As for the form guide, things are far more even. Spurs have 11 points from their last six league games while Brighton are only just behind with ten. Much could depend on team selection but that form guide suggests it could be a tight 90 minutes.

Side Markets

First goalscorer betting is in and it shows Harry Kane as clear favourite to find the net first at best odds of 7/2 with Unibet. Son Heung-Min is next at 24/5 with VBet but you should check the teamsheets to see if Sonny makes the squad.

Neal Maupay is Brighton’s first option at 6/1 with Vbet while others from within the Spurs’ camp include Lucas Moura at 9/1 with Coral, Steven Bergwijn at 9/1 with MansionBet, Dejan Kulusevski at 12/1 with 10Bet and Ryan Sessegnon at 18/1 with Ladbrokes.

In other side bets, Both Teams to Score is quoted for this one at best odds of 5/6 with QuinnBet and 888Sport. If you want to take the ‘No’ option on BTTS, this is available at Even Money with BetFred.

Total Goals betting could potentially begin with a stake Over the 2.5 line which would currently be met with best odds of Even Money with 10Bet. By pushing that Above 3.5 goals, that figure jumps to 23/10 with Ladbrokes and Coral.

Alternatively, if you think it could be a cagey 90 minutes, you could switch to Under 2.5 goals which is available at a top price of 17/20 with Unibet.

Moving on, we’ll finish with some Correct Score suggestions and, if you think Tottenham will edge a tight contest, a 2-1 home win can be found at best odds of 15/2 with BetFred and SportNation. The same outcome in favour of our opponents is on offer at 12/1 with Ladbrokes while the 1-1 draw can be backed at a top price of 27/4 with MansionBet.

Remember, with the exception of the To Qualify market, all of the figures above relate to 90 minutes only and will exclude any extra time.

Road to Wembley

brightonReaders shouldn’t need reminding of Spurs’ tortuous home win over Morecambe in the last round. A goal down after 33 minutes, our second string rarely looked like pulling things level. With the prospect of Tottenham becoming the laughing stock of English football once again, a triple substitution on 69 minutes turned things around.

Goals from Harry Winks, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane claimed the win but the 3-1 scoreline was tough on our League One opponents.

As for Brighton and Hove Albion, they were given a scare by West Bromwich Albion in the 3rd round. The Baggies took the lead through Callum Robinson at the start of the second half and Brighton had to wait until the 81st minute before Jakub Moder pulled them level.

By that point, the Seagulls had been aided by the dismissal of West Brom’s Cedric Kipre who saw red on 69 minutes. The Baggies still held on before Neal Maupay sealed the tie in the first period of extra time.

Verdict

Team selection could be important as always but we suspect that Spurs will be strong after the extended break. On that basis we should be winning this tie but we are Tottenham and we know not to take anything for granted.

The bet suggestions below are based on a narrow win and they will be quite familiar if you are a regular reader of this column. A defence that is settling in together has the capacity to concede so we’ll start with Both Teams to Score and add in Over 2.5 goals. Lucas Moura can be a reliable option in this type of game and we’ll finish with Lucas for an anytime goal.

Best Bets

  • Both Teams to Score at 5/6 with QuinnBet
  • Over 2.5 Goals at Even Money with 10Bet
  • Lucas Moura to score at any time in 90 minutes at 7/2 with Coral

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