*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Tuesday 7.55pm: Middlesbrough v Tottenham
TV: BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Brian
I think it’s a very hard game to predict because you look at Tottenham over the last few weeks, they go to Manchester City and win 3-2 in crazy game and you’re thinking they’re in the driving seat for the top four. Then, a couple of days later, they go to Burnley and they put in a really poor performance and lose 1-0.
I do think Antonio Conte will put out the strongest team he can. In the previous round against Brighton he started with a front three of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura.
Moura’s out injured for this one, I think Dejan Kulusevski will probably come in there. Middlesbrough, though, they’re doing quite well in the Championship under Chris Wilder. They’re only two points off the playoff places.
It’s very tight in the Championship, I think there’s only six points separating 4th and 10th so I think that will be their main aim this season, getting in the playoff places. They may rest a player or two for this one so that’s why I think Tottenham might win.
Boro dumped out Manchester United at Old Trafford in the previous round but that was just one of those games. United had 30 shots to Middlesbrough’s six. United should have been away and clear so it was a bit of a freak result.
I’m going to go with Tottenham to Win this one, I think both teams will score so I’m going for 2-1 to Spurs. Harry Kane is the obvious selection in the goal scorer markets but himself and Son are striking up that partnership again that was so strong last season.
He’ll be on the penalties, he’ll be on the free kicks, so the obvious one is Kane to Score Anytime.
Thommo
I looked at the Manchester United game where Middlesbrough won on penalties and I thought, how well did they play? Was it close? Did they play really well? That would give you an idea about how they will play against Spurs.
You’re quite right, it was 30 shots that Manchester United had that night with nine on target. They also had 71% possession. You can’t get away with that twice, I don’t believe.
This Spurs team, I think Conte will still be a little bit nervous about how these lads play in games they should win. Their attitude doesn’t seem to be as it should be. They played Leeds at the weekend they must have wondered what they’d done to deserve that.
Spurs had been beaten by Burnley, everybody’s complaining, Conte’s had a meltdown, they were going,’ Oh my goodness Spurs are going to turn up’. And they did turn up.
I think it’s going to be another one of those games with this Spurs side, I think he will put out his best team and try to get to a final and win a cup. If they don’t finish in that top four he’s going to need to show a trophy.
I don’t think Middlesbrough will score, it was a freak one against Man United, I’m going for a clean sheet for Spurs, I’m going for a 2-0 Spurs Win and I’ve got Harry Kane to Score Anytime. I think he’s coming back into a good bit of form.
Boro v Spurs tips
Brian: Tottenham to win 2-1 and Harry Kane to Score Anytime
Thommo Tottenham to win 2-0 and Harry Kane to Score Anytime
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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