Fifth hosts sixth in an intriguing Premier League encounter on Saturday afternoon, as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to North London.
Cristian Stellini's men were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on Monday night, while the Seagulls' journey across the South Coast was a worthwhile one, as they eased past Bournemouth 2-0.
Match preview
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There may have been a new name in the dugout, but in many ways, it was the same old Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park, where the North London club would ostensibly be set for a routine three points against 10 men when Harry Kane drew first blood from the penalty spot.
By that point, the England captain had been struck in the face by Abdoulaye Doucoure - who was sent off for his troubles - but the 10 men of Everton proceeded to dominate the 11 men of Tottenham, who levelled the playing field not long after as substitute Lucas Moura was given his marching orders for a crunching challenge on Michael Keane.
However, Keane dusted himself down and took full advantage of Spurs' refusal to put pressure on the ball, unleashing a rocket into the far corner to steal a point for Sean Dyche's side and deal yet another blow to Spurs' dwindling top-four chances.
A point at Goodison temporarily lifted Spurs back into the Champions League places, but Manchester United's win over Brentford has since pushed Stellini's men back down to fifth spot - three points adrift of the Red Devils and Newcastle United, both of whom have a game in hand.
A four-game unbeaten run in all tournaments can serve as cause for mild optimism - although three of those contests have ended in draws - but each of the Lilywhites' last four Premier League matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has ended in victory, and fatigue will be of help rather than hindrance to the hosts here.
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While North London have possessed their own revered striker for several years now, fans continue to rant and rave about the new kid on the block at Brighton, as Evan Ferguson's stock rose further with his cheeky contribution at the Vitality Stadium.
The teenager's elegant backheel put Roberto De Zerbi's men in the ascendancy against Bournemouth before he handed the reins over to another up-and-coming striker in Julio Enciso, who converted his first Brighton goal in added time to keep the Seagulls soaring.
Now basking in the glory of a seven-game unbeaten run in all tournaments, the Seagulls have cemented themselves in sixth place in the Premier League table, and while Tottenham hold an unassailable four-point lead over their upcoming opponents right now, Brighton's two games in hand could yet prove pivotal.
Furthermore, De Zerbi's goal-happy crop have gone seven Premier League away games without defeat since losing to Manchester City in October - scoring at least twice in six of those contests - and 28 goals scored in 3pm Saturday kickoffs is the most of any team in the English top flight so far this term.
Kane's 100th Premier League goal away from home propelled Tottenham to a 1-0 win at the Amex earlier this season, but the Lilywhites lost by the same scoreline in North London last season and may be regarded as the underdogs by some for this weekend's battle.
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Tottenham attacker and soon-to-be free agent Lucas had only been on the pitch for six minutes before seeing red against Everton, and the Brazilian now begins a three-game domestic ban, although his chances of starting this one were slim to none anyway.
Joining Moura on the absentee list are Emerson Royal (knee), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Ben Davies (hamstring), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Yves Bissouma (ankle), while Richarlison (calf) was unable to face his former club on Monday and is unavailable here too as he trains individually.
Despite putting in yet another underwhelming display last time out, Son Heung-min should continue to support Kane, who sits on 98 Premier League home goals and could soon become the first-ever Premier League player to notch a century home and away.
Meanwhile, Seagulls hearts were in mouths when Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo had to come off with knocks against Bournemouth, but De Zerbi has confirmed that neither man sustained anything serious, and both will be fine to line up on Saturday.
All of Adam Lallana (thigh), Jakub Moder (knee) and Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle) remain out for the visitors, who must also make do without Tariq Lamptey, whose situation is a "difficult" one according to De Zerbi as he attempts to bounce back from a knee issue.
With Mac Allister and Caicedo's withdrawals at Bournemouth being largely precautionary than anything else, De Zerbi should be able to put out an unaltered XI in North London, as Adam Webster forces Levi Colwill to watch on from the bench again.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Porro, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Perisic; Kulusevski, Kane, Son
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Ferguson
We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
With Brighton possessing an affinity for 3pm goals and Spurs failing to keep the back door closed in afternoon contests - conceding an average of two per game at that time - the stage is set for a North London upset this weekend.
The injury-riddled Lilywhites experienced little in the way of a new manager bounce at Goodison Park, and with Brighton finding the back of the net for fun on rival territory, the Seagulls can feel wholly optimistic of coming away with all three points in the bag and sparking more furore in the capital.
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Top tip
Ben Knapton
