The FA Cup returns this weekend and one of the all Premier League ties is taking place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Tottenham host Brighton and Hove Albion, in what could be one of the fixtures of the round. Antonio Conte is a winner and he will want to win trophies during his time in North London. This is the last opportunity for Spurs to challenge for one this season. For the Seagulls, they are clear from danger in the Premier League and they can fully commit to playing a strong team in the cup. It should be a great spectacle.
It has been a good two weeks for Tottenham, as they have managed to get rid of some of the unwanted squad members and strengthened the options available to Conte. There could be debuts for Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur following their deadline day moves. Although the focus for Conte will be on the Premier League, he is trying to create a winning mentality at the club. It is important he takes the FA Cup seriously as he tries to create this environment.
Brighton have had another good season under Graham Potter. He is doing an excellent job for the Seagulls, who are now emerging as a top ten Premier League club. There is a ceiling to the level of success that a club like Brighton can have, but they have the capabilities of a long run in the FA Cup. If Potter managed to win a trophy, it would enhance his reputation a lot. It is a tough draw to face Tottenham, but they have beaten Spurs in the recent past. They will believe that they can progress.
Interesting stats
- Despite Conte’s reputation for organisation, Tottenham have kept only one clean sheet in 2022.
- Brighton are unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Key men
Kane
The main thing missing from Harry Kane’s career is trophies. He has yet to win a competition as a player and it is a record he will want to put right. There have been a few finals in the recent past, but to date, he has yet to lift a trophy. The appointment of Conte will excite the England captain and there will be hope that the new manager can help Kane put an end to his trophy draught. There has been a steady improvement in the form of Kane since the Italian took charge in North London. During the last round, Kane got a goal and he will be hoping he can get another one on Saturday. This is a big year for Kane, as he builds up to the World Cup. He will want to be at his best and bounce back from a disappointing end to 2021. It remains to be seen if he will leave Tottenham in the summer. If he is still planning to leave the club, ending his spell with a trophy could be a fitting end.
Trossard
The Belgian international has been a good signing for Brighton. There will be a feeling at Brighton that there is more to come from the attacker. He is the player that can produce match winning moments and he adds an unpredictability to their attack. To take his game to the next level, Potter will want Trossard to increase his numbers in the final third. This season, he has contributed four goals and one assist in the Premier League. These are okay, but he has the potential to become a more regular contributor. Tottenham haven’t been reliable at the back in recent weeks. The fluidity of Brighton will cause them problems and Trossard is a player that can have a big impact on the game. If Brighton are to win, they will need their players like Trossard to step up.
Team news
The break came at the right time for Tottenham as they have managed to get players back fit. Son Heung-min, Cristian Romero and Eric Dier are all available for the home side. New arrivals Kulusevski and Bentancur could make their debuts.
Enock Mwepu, Shane Duffy and Moises Caicedo are all doubts for the visitors. Yves Bissouma could be back involved after his return from international duty.
Verdict
This is a big game for both sides, as they will both have ambitions of going deeper into the competition. As neither side are in Europe, there should be no excuse for the managers not to play a strong team. For Tottenham, this is an excellent opportunity to win a trophy. They appointed Antonio Conte to get the club challenging for trophies and it would represent an excellent first season if they managed to triumph at Wembley in May. They should have enough quality to reach the next round.
Tottenham 2-1 Brighton
