Kaoru Mitoma could make an instant return to Brighton and Hove Albion’s starting eleven against Tottenham Hotspur after Joao Pedro was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Last Word on Football brings you our Brighton predicted lineup for their crucial league match against Tottenham Hotspur on February 10.
Brighton Predicted Lineup v Spurs in Premier League Clash
How Brighton Have Lined-up Recently
There was little rotation in Brighton’s starting eleven in the games leading up to Crystal Palace last weekend with the Italian manager making a total of four changes in the previous four games. He made as many changes in the space of one game week following the defeat to the Hatters. This included goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen coming in for Jason Steele.
Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk have been the key men in central defence and academy graduate Jack Hinshelwood has been a regular at right back. Pervis Estupinian and Igor Julio have competed for the left-back role while the change of system saw an opportunity for Tariq Lamptey to come into the side at left wing-back.
This change in formation saw the midfield three of Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour, and James Milner disrupted for the first time in five league fixtures as Milner dropped to the bench.
Pedro has been crucial in Albion’s attack this season and has started their last six league games. The Brazilian is the top scorer in all competitions of any Premier League player this season, alongside Erling Haaland, with 19 goals in the campaign so far. Two of these came in Brighton’s 4-2 victory over Spurs in December.
Facundo Buonanotte has capitalised on Kaoru Mitoma’s absence, starting the last five league games while Evan Ferguson came in for Danny Welbeck against Crystal Palace after the former Arsenal man’s spell in the starting eleven.
Brighton Recent Form and Tactics
Prior to the victory over Crystal Palace, Brighton picked up just one win in their previous seven league fixtures. The 4-0 defeat at Kenilworth Road was the third successive league game in which the south-coast side failed to find the net.
This run of form led to De Zerbi veering away from a back four, which he has used all season, and implementing a 3-4-3 system. The success of the new formation was evident during Albion’s second goal against Palace as left wing-back Lamptey set up the opposite wing-back Hinshelwood to head home.
During Brighton’s run of three games without a goal they did manage to pick up their first two clean sheets in the league this season. These results coincided with the return of Estupinian who had been sidelined since October.
After being dropped against Crystal Palace, De Zerbi may look to bring back the Ecuadorian international as they search for their third clean sheet of the campaign. They also scored nine goals in two FA Cup fixtures during this barren run in the league.
Brighton Absentees to Consider
Assistant manager Andrea Maldera shared on Friday that Pedro has picked up a hamstring injury and will be “100%” unavailable.” Following this news, Brighton fans will be even more delighted to see the “electric” Mitoma return from internal duty and Maldera confirmed on Friday the Japanese will be available to De Zerbi. Simon Adingra remains unavailable as his Ivory Coast side prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.
Brighton Predicted Lineup
Jason Steele – GK
Jan Paul van Hecke – CB
Lewis Dunk – CB
Igor Julio – CB
Jack Hinshelwood – RWB
Pascal Gross – CM
Billy Gilmour – CM
Tariq Lamptey – LWB
Facundo Buonanotte – RW
Kaoru Mitoma – LW
Danny Welbeck -ST
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