Following a 3-1 North London Derby defeat and a 0-0 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt over the past week, the home comforts of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would have been ideal for Antonio Conte as Tottenham look to bounce back. Playing in N17 on Wednesday evening when they host Frankfurt, Spurs will be on the road again this weekend as they return to Premier League action with a tricky showdown at Brighton & Hove Albion on the cards.
The Amex has not been a happy hunting ground for the Lilywhites in recent years, with their 3-0 defeat against the Seagulls three years ago undoubtedly their lowest point on the south coast. Things didn't get any better for them on their next visit as they lost 1-0 in January 2021, but they were victorious at Brighton's home seven months ago following a 2-0 victory.
A repeat of March's success would go down extremely well as Tottenham need to return to winning ways in order to keep pace with Arsenal and Man City at the top of the Premier League. There's also the added factor of the team doing all they can to get three points this weekend in honour of Spurs fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone following his tragic passing on Thursday morning.
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An emotional couple of days for everyone connected with the club, securing victory on the south coast would be the best way of paying tribute to a man they adored and cared so deeply about. Tottenham are going to have to be at their very best to win at Brighton, though, as Roberto De Zerbi's men have started the campaign off in fine form and are currently fourth and just the three points behind them.
Impressive again on home soil, Brighton have won two of their three league games at the Amex this term, with the other game seeing them play out a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United. Tottenham, on the other hand, have struggled away from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having only tasted victory away at Nottingham Forest in their four away league outings.
Add in the 2-0 defeat against Sporting CP in the Champions League as well as Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt, the team's away form is perhaps a big cause for concern going on their results so far. However, it does need to be remembered that Champions League away fixtures are never straightforward, with the same going for the London derby clashes at Chelsea, West Ham and Arsenal.
The away games certainly aren't getting easier for the Lilywhites with Brighton and Manchester United next up before Bournemouth, Marseille and Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup follow prior to domestic football going on pause in November for the World Cup. An away win sooner rather than later is imperative in order to put everyone at ease and make it clear that Tottenham do not have an issue away from their home stadium.
Still riding high in the Premier League and in a good position to qualify from Champions League Group D, Spurs have been spluttering of late and a win would give everyone a huge lift ahead of some vital matches coming up in their hectic schedule. A top performance to go along with it is also required as Conte's men currently look a long way from the team that finished last campaign scoring goals and winning for fun as they sealed a Champions League place.
Enduing such a mixed record at the Amex in the past, Saturday's game is so important in terms of sending out a big message and getting back on track. If they can indeed do it for Ventrone then it would be the perfect way to bring the curtain down on such a heartbreaking few days for the club.
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