It’s the Championship versus the Premier League in fifth-round FA Cup action this midweek as Tottenham head to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough.
Round five of the FA Cup has been somewhat of a poison chalice for Spurs in the last couple of seasons. Everton and Norwich have eliminated them at this stage in their last two attempts at winning a fifth-round FA Cup tie. They’ll hope to end that hoodoo this week with the help of a secret weapon.
That secret weapon is their gaffer. Incredibly, Antonio Conte has only lost a domestic cup fixture against a lower division side once in his entire managerial career.
That defeat was at the first attempt, all the way back in 2009 when he was cutting his teeth as a head coach at Atalanta in Italy.
Add that to the fact that ‘Boro has won just once against Spurs in the last thirteen fixtures between the two sides, and Spurs should be very confident of making the quarterfinals.
Middlesbrough vs Tottenham FYIs
When is it? Tuesday, 1 March 2022 7.55 PM.
Where can I stream it? Go to hesgoal for free football streaming options.
Where is it? Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough.
Who’s in form? Middlesbrough (DWLWL) Tottenham (LLWLW)
What are the odds? Middlesbrough (+400) Tottenham (-145) Draw (+290)
Premier League Podcast: Spotify Apple Podcasts
Starting XI Prediction: go here
Here is all the latest team news for the North London club as they prepare to travel to Teesside.
January signing Rodrigo Bentancur is unlikely to be named to play in this one. He injured his ankle against Burnley in the league and had to be taken off. Despite the club insisting it was nothing serious, he failed to make the squad against Leeds just a couple of days ago. I wouldn’t expect to see him on the pitch in this one.
Oliver Skipp is a very similar story. He suffered a groin injury at the start of the month. Tottenham has insisted that it is not serious, even stating that he would be back in 7-10 days when he first went down with the injury. That was almost three weeks ago now. I doubt he will be part of the squad that plays at Middlesbrough.
Japhet Tanganga remains unavailable for selection. The knee injury that has seen him miss all of this club’s February fixtures seems likely to keep him out of contention for selection here.
Lucas Moura suffered a knock to his knee that saw him miss the Premier League match against Leeds last weekend. He will face a battle to prove his fitness if he is to play a role against Boro.
Spur’s first-team injuries are mounting up. Perhaps that might go some way to explaining their erratic form at the moment. That erratic form will make this potentially the most must-watch match in this round of the cup.