Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
The Matchday 38 Premier League clash is set for Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the hosts Tottenham will take on Brighton. I'm backing a bet on goals in this showdown, with solid chances for success.
Match preview
Tottenham are wrapping up the season on a high, having secured a long-awaited trophy and a Champions League berth — despite a disastrous Premier League campaign. Ange Postecoglou cold-bloodedly sacrificed domestic ambitions for European glory, and the gamble paid off in full. The Europa League triumph was a breath of fresh air for Spurs fans and lifted all pressure ahead of the Premier League’s final round.
However, Spurs’ league form has been far from competitive: six straight matches without a win and struggles on both ends of the pitch point to a deep functional slump. The squad is simply spent, and with nothing left to play for, Tottenham can be expected to go through the motions — especially after an emotionally and physically draining week. The players’ minds are already on holiday, not on the pitch.
Southampton, led by Fabian Hürzeler, have found their groove in the closing stretch, putting together an impressive four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. Their comeback win over Liverpool (3-2) was particularly eye-catching — even if the Reds lacked motivation, the Saints’ rally boosted confidence and showcased their fighting spirit.
Now the side has every chance to hold onto eighth place, which could theoretically open the door to the Conference League — depending on what happens with Chelsea. For the Saints, this is a genuine shot at European football, and their motivation going into the final round will be sky-high.
Probable lineups
- Tottenham: Antonin Kinski – Sergio Reguilón, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Djed Spence – Archie Gray, Pape Sarr – Rodrigo Bentancur, Son Heung-min, Wilson Odobert – Mathys Tel
- Brighton: Bart Verbruggen – Mats Wieffer, Jan Paul van Hecke, Adam Webster, Pervis Estupiñán – Yasin Ayari, Carlos Baleba – Brajan Gruda, Simon Adingra, Yankuba Minteh – Danny Welbeck
Match facts and head-to-head
- In the first half of the season, Brighton defeated Tottenham 3-2
- The "Over 2.5 goals" bet has come through in the last 4 meetings between these teams
- The "Both teams to score" bet has also landed in the last 4 encounters
Prediction
A high-scoring affair is expected, with both sides boasting potent attacks and plenty of motivation: Brighton chasing European football, Southampton aiming to secure eighth place. Considering the attacking styles and goal-rich history of this fixture, the optimal bet is "Over 3.5 goals" at 1.86.
