Spurs under 18’s versus Brighton & Hove Albion: (match preview)

After our under 18’s disappointing exit from the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night, Spurs return to league action when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion down on the south coast on Saturday morning. Matt Taylor’s side take on a Brighton side who are currently seven points above Spurs in the league table in fourth place. Mark Beard’s Brighton have done well so far this season, picking up 23 points from 11 games and they have also booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup after defeating Derby County on Wednesday night. Brighton defeated Spurs 3-2 in the reverse fixture back in August and they played quite an attractive style of attacking football in that game. Some of the ‘ Seagulls ‘ main danger men include Swiss striker Laurent Tolaj and attacking midfielder Stefan Vukoje who have scored 20 goals between them at under 18 level so far this season. Other players to look out for are midfielder and Scotland youth international Marc Leonard, defender Ben Wilson and midfielder Jack Leahy. This will be a tough game for Spurs who will likely be without Harvey White, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Luis Binks for tomorrow’s game, as they will likely be with the development side for Monday nights game against Derby County. This could give an opportunity for other players to get playing time for the under 18’s. I shall be traveling down to the south coast to report on tomorrow’s league game, before then dashing back to Tottenham for the first team game against Liverpool. 

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Kurylowicz, Lusala, Muir, Skinner, Kyezu, Robson, Santiago, Whittaker, Pedder, Bennett, Etete (c).

Subs from: Lo-Tutala, Cesay, Cassanova, Mathurin, Mundle.

Injured/unavailable: Michael Craig. 

Doubtful: Matthew Craig, Kallum Cesay, Enock Asante, Chay Cooper, Nile John, Dane Scarlett.

Previous meeting: Spurs 2-3.

My score prediction: 2-2.

My one to watch: The ‘ Seagulls ’  main danger man Stefan Vukoje (CAM) who has netted an impressive 11 goals for Brighton’s under 18 side so far this campaign.