Spotlight on... Brighton

Our festive programme kicks-off against Brighton at home in the Premier League on Boxing Day (12.30pm kick-off).

In their most recent visit to N17, back in April, we sealed a 1-0 win over the Seagulls with a late strike from Christian Eriksen. Ahead of their return to north London, we put Graham Potter's men under the spotlight.

Team news

Winger Jose Izquierdo (knee) and midfielder Solly March (groin) will both be unavailable for Brighton for the clash in N17 as they both continue their recoveries from their respective injuries.

Brighton’s form

With just one win in their last seven Premier League outings, it has been a tough period for Graham Potter’s side, but that spell has included some very difficult tests. Indeed, the first four games of that run consisted of a trip to Manchester United (1-3), a visit to Liverpool (1-2) and a home game against Leicester City (0-2) before an impressive 2-1 win at Arsenal. They have since picked up a point against both Wolves (2-2) and Palace (1-1) before suffering defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday (0-1).

One to watch

With three goals in his last four games, Neal Maupay has been enjoying a bright spell of form in blue and white. Signed in the summer from Championship side Brentford, the forward has certainly made the step up to life in the Premier League. The former French Under-21 international made the perfect start on the south coast when he scored on his top-flight debut against Watford and he hasn’t looked back since. He has played in each of Brighton’s 18 games so far this season, scoring seven goals.

Last five meetings

5 October, 2019 – Brighton 3-0 Spurs – Premier League
23 April, 2019 – Spurs 1-0 Brighton – Premier League
22 September, 2018 – Brighton 1-2 Spurs – Premier League
17 April, 2018 – Brighton 1-1 Spurs – Premier League
13 December, 2017 – Spurs 2-0 Brighton – Premier League

Played for both

Signing for us in November, 1998, defender Mauricio Taricco spent six years at Spurs before later finishing his playing career at Brighton.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mauricio began his career in his homeland with Argentinos Juniors before joining Ipswich Town in 1994. It was from the Suffolk club that we then signed the full-back four years later.

Unable to play his part in our 1999 League Cup success due to being cup-tied, he became a regular as we moved towards the new millennium. Able to operate on either side of defence, the Argentine made over 150 appearances for us before departing for West Ham United in 2004.

After later spells in Italian amateur football, Mauricio headed to the south coast to link up with former team-mate Gus Poyet at Brighton, helping them achieve promotion from League One as both a player and assistant manager. He has continued in that latter role alongside Gus ever since, having stints at Sunderland, AEK Athens, Real Betis, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua and Bordeaux.

Quiz on Brighton

1. How many consecutive home games have we won against Brighton?

• 3
• 4
• 5

2. How many of our former players have managed Brighton?

• 1
• 2
• 3

3. Brighton boss Graham Potter took charge at the AMEX Stadium this summer after leaving which Championship club?

• Reading
• Swansea City
• Nottingham Forest

4. Which one of our former players is currently at Brighton?

• David Button
• Bobby Zamora
• Tom Carroll

5. Out of our five Premier League meetings with Brighton, how many have we won?

• 2
• 3
• 4

(Answers at the bottom)

Pictures from the past

Match data

Venue - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Opposition colours - Black shirts, black shorts, black socks.

Referee - Graham Scott.

Weather forecast - Showers, eight degrees.

Answers: 1 – 5; 2 – 3 (Alan Mullery, Chris Hughton and Gus Poyet); 3 – Swansea City; 4 – David Button; 5 -3.