Tottenham vs Brighton

Riding high after clinching the Europa League title, Tottenham Hotspur wrap up a rollercoaster campaign at home against Brighton & Hove Albion in Sunday’s Premier League finale.

The Spurs fanbase is in celebration mode after the club ended a 17-year wait for silverware. Meanwhile, Brighton still harbor slim hopes of qualifying for the Conference League, but only under a very specific set of conditions.

Tottenham, who hadn’t lifted a trophy since their 2007-08 EFL Cup triumph over Chelsea, overcame a mounting injury crisis and doubts surrounding their manager’s credibility to reach — and win — the Europa League final against Manchester United.

The all-English European final didn’t produce fireworks, but a first-half goal resulting from a Luke Shaw and Brennan Johnson combination was enough. Tottenham then employed a resolute, Mourinho-esque defensive approach to shut down a lackluster Man United and secure the title.

Now heading back to the Champions League, Spurs fans may be willing to overlook what could statistically be their worst-ever Premier League season — one that might still end with a 17th-place finish. But given the European triumph, few would argue that 17th with a trophy and UCL qualification isn’t preferable to finishing sixth with nothing to show for it. Should this be Ange Postecoglou’s final match in charge, he leaves having achieved something neither Mourinho, Conte, nor Pochettino managed in North London.

On the other side, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler could yet steer his side into Europe, although the pathway is convoluted. The Seagulls need to hold onto eighth place by avoiding defeat in North London — they’re three points ahead of Brentford but too far behind Nottingham Forest in seventh.

Even if they finish eighth, several results must fall in their favor. They need Chelsea to place seventh, or for Newcastle to finish seventh and Chelsea sixth, and then hope Chelsea win the Conference League final against Real Betis next week. Needless to say, the odds are steep.

Still, Brighton have built momentum at just the right time, collecting 10 points from a possible 12 and pulling off a dramatic 3-2 win over champions Liverpool on Monday. Earlier this season, they defeated Spurs by the same scoreline, but history isn't on their side — Brighton have lost seven of their last eight away league fixtures against Tottenham.

Regardless of the result, Spurs fans will be resting easy, already toasting their long-awaited return to the winner’s circle.