George Pitts is backing Tottenham to bolster their top-four chances when they travel to Brighton in the Premier League.
Tuesday's Premier League recommended bets
1pt Tottenham to beat Brighton 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 at 7/2
1pt Heung-min Son to score first at 5/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record.
Brighton and Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur (1945 BST, Sky Sports Football)
Tottenham lost their first Premier League match of 2018 at the weekend and Mauricio Pochettino sent a stark wake-up call to his team ahead of their midweek trip to Brighton.
The north Londoners's previous loss came in December at Manchester City, before going on an impressive 14-game unbeaten run in the league, ending on Saturday in the reverse match with Guardiola’s side at Wembley, who have since been crowned champions.
The Citizens were better in every department, keeping Harry Kane quiet and restricting the England marksman to just six second-half touches. Two quick-fire goals from Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan inside the opening 25 minutes set City on their way, with Christian Eriksen pulling one back before half-time rather fortuitously before Raheem Sterling made it three on 72 minutes.
It leaves Pochettino’s side, who have Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United also to consider, fourth in the Premier League standings with five games to go.
The Argentinian boss will be keen to make sure his side do not slip up and let fifth-placed Chelsea close the seven-point gap, yet he will know the threats Chris Hughton’s Brighton possess after beating Arsenal at the Amex only last month.
The Seagulls currently sit 13th, seven points above the bottom three – a nice cushion but Hughton will want to get close to the 40-point mark which usually ensures safety.
After the emphatic victory over Tottenham’s north London rivals (pictured, above) a few weeks ago – which marked their third home win in a row – they have gone on a four-match winless run which has made them nervously looking over their shoulders again.
They can be backed at 13/2 to get the win on Tuesday, with Tottenham (1/2) odds-on to claim their 11th away win of the season – the second-best record on the road in the top flight this term.
Pochettino has hinted Kane will be rested, something which could give Brighton a pre-match boost, but this season Spurs have showed their ability bounce back from defeats and most of all to cope without their star forward. Heung-min Son has scored 18 goals in all competitions this term and you can back him in a score-and-win double at 15/8, 5/1 to open the scoring.
Tottenham have won their last four away games (all comps) with over 2.5 total goals in the game, so backing them to win with over 2.5 here can get you a 6/5 price.
They usually finish games off with a stronger second half, so draw/Tottenham in a half-time double could be worth backing at 3/1, as would the last half having the most goals at evens.
Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Tottenham (Sky Bet's odds: 7/1)
Best bet: Tottenham to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 at 7/2
Alternative bet: Half-time/full-time - draw/Tottenham at 3/1
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Last updated at 1715 BST 16/04/2018.
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