Spurs vs Middlesbrough preview, predictions & confirmed XIs as Eriksen, Tanganga start
Tottenham Hotspur host Middlesbrough in an FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday evening.
Jose Mourinho‘s side came from a goal down at the Riverside Stadium to avoid an upset with Lucas Moura cancelling out Ashley Fletcher’s opener.
This will be Boro’s first visit to Spurs‘ new ground and sees manager Jonathan Woodgate, who enjoyed four seasons with the Lillywhites as a player, reunited with old friends.
Read on for our Spurs v Middlesbrough preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Spurs vs Middlesbrough and where can I watch live?
Competition: FA Cup (third-round replay)
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Tuesday, 14 January 2020
Kick-off: 8:05 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BBC One
Last five meetings: Spurs vs Middlesbrough
5 January 2020: Middlesbrough 1-1 Spurs (FA Cup)
4 February 2017: Spurs 1-0 Middlesbrough (Premier League)
24 September 2016: Middlesbrough 1-2 Spurs (Premier League)
4 March 2009: Spurs 4-0 Middlesbrough (Premier League)
16 August 2008: Middlesbrough 2-1 Spurs (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Spurs (DWWWL) 9-4 Middlesbrough (DLLLW)
Ones to watch
Spurs: Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen’s future at Spurs is still hanging in the air. His present deal expires this summer and has recently been linked with a move to Inter Milan this month. However, a lack of midfielders available to Mourinho has brought him in from the cold. He wasn’t given an enthusiastic reception against Liverpool last time out but the Danish playmaker remains Spurs‘ best creative outlet. Could this game be a farewell?
Key stat: Eriksen averages two chances created per 90 in the Premier League – more than any Spurs player.
Middlesbrough: Ashley Fletcher
It never quite worked out for Ashley Fletcher in the Premier League as he failed to score across 16 outings for West Ham, but that doesn’t mean there’s no future in England’s top division for the 24-year-old former Man Utd academy graduate. This game, being televised to a national audience, will present Boro’s most dangerous man an opportunity to show what he’s now about.
Key stat: No Boro player has been involved in more league goals than Fletcher (six goals and four assists) this season.
Team news
Spurs
📋 #THFC: Gazzaniga, Tanganga, Sanchez, Vertonghen (C), Sessegnon, Dier, Winks, Lo Celso, Eriksen, Lamela, Lucas.
📲 @WilliamHill latest (18+)https://t.co/1qzzTa5C4a#THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/t5cvlKZqC1
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 14, 2020
Japhet Tanganga has retained his spot after impressing against runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool. Lucas Moura also continues to lead the Spurs line in Harry Kane‘s absence. Argentine duo Giovani Lo Celso and Erik Lamela have both been handed starts.
Confirmed XI: Gazzaniga; Tanganga, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Sessegnon; Dier, Eriksen, Winks; Lo Celso Lamela, Lucas.
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Middlesbrough
Tonight's #Boro teamsheet 📄
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) January 14, 2020
Confirmed XI: Mejias; Spence, Howson, McNair, Fry; Johnson, Clayton, Liddle, Wing; Nmecha, Fletcher.
Squawka prediction
Spurs in their home environment should prove too much for the Championship outfit. That’s not to say Boro will not probe and ask honest questions of the hosts. If anything, they should draw inspiration from Yorkshire rivals Leeds who took the game to Arsenal in their FA Cup third round meeting. However, we expect Spurs to get the job done.
