Tottenham Hotspur will resume Premier League duties as Thomas Frank & Co. head to the Amex this Saturday in an afternoon kickoff. This will be the first test of the current roster in whether they can balance shuffling between the English top tier and Champions League while maintaining their winning form.
The North Londoners come into the game after another impressive performance, as the Lilywhites got the better of Villarreal in a 1-0 win in the midweek. It was more of a game which demanded structure with patience and some defensive resilience. Thomas Frank has coached this side into his pragmatic approach (and signs are showing), and that shows in the fact that the Spanish side failed to register a single shot on target.
Brighton vs Tottenham match details:
Date: Thursday 18 September 2025
Kick-off at 3pm BST
Venue: Amex Stadium
Team News
Brighton
The Seagulls have had an unpredictable start to the season. We saw them getting that impressive 2-1 win over Manchester City, but then they followed it up with a defeat against Iraola’s high-flying Bournemouth. We have watched Fabian Hürzeler playing some fluid and brave football this season, but the constant rotations have left him exposed now and again.
And the injuries to the duo of Jack Hinshelwood and Max De Cuyper only add to their uncertain performances.
Still, Tottenham should not take them lightly. The hosts for tomorrow defeated Tottenham twice in the last season, but it was also the manner of it. They went on to put seven past the Lilywhites’ defence in those two games.
The North Londoners would need to be aware, given that the direct running ability of Mitoma is complemented by Georginio Rutter’s creative abilities. And then there is Minteh with his explosive pace on that right flank, which should test Spurs at the back with their organisation of the defensive line.
Tottenham Hotspur
The real challenge for the Lilywhites will be about how the Lilywhites roster (and Frank) will cope with the dual demands of playing in European and domestic football.
The Dane head coach has a few injury problems, with the likes of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, Kota Takai, and Yves Bissouma all serving on the sidelines. And then there is Dominic Solanke, who is said to be close to coming back into action, but the former Bournemouth star would certainly not be ready for the selection.
And this leaves Thomas Frank with a few options that he needs to be considered for the starting lineup. The North Londoners have the likes of Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani, and Mathys Tel who can play in that #9 role. The duo of Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus are expected to start out wide, with both of them having the capacity to bring a lot of creativity.
Frank also has Destiny Udogie back fit, who should be in the run to fight for that left-back spot with Djed Spence. Joao Palhinha will be starting in the middle of the park to add that bite against runners for the Seagulls.
Predicted Lineups
Brighton:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck
Tottenham:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Palhinha, Bergvall; Kudus, Richarlison, Simons
Prediction
Tottenham look calmer and better drilled under Frank, and that shows by how hard they were to break down in the midweek. And this is what makes it a well-suited game, given how Brighton would want chaos. But if the attackers take their chances for Tottenham, then this defence is enough to take the game over the line.
Brighton 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur