Spurs under 19’s versus APOEL Nicosia: (match preview)
Wednesday will be an intriguing day for the Spurs Academy, firstly there is the crucial under 19 game with APOEL in the afternoon with a win securing us top spot. However, there is also from our perspective a dead rubber game in the champions league. This gives Mauricio Pochettino and John McDermott a dilemma, do they play their key youth players in that game or do they instead give them the opportunity of a lifetime to play in senior side at Wembley in club footballs most prestigious competition against APOEL Nicosia? It’s a decision for Pochettino and his coaches and one that we’ll know more about when the teams for the youth league game are announced on Wednesday afternoon. Regarding the under 19’s game, it’s worth noting that their achievement in already qualifying from a group that contains Real Madrid and Dortmund is just a remarkable as that of our first team. A win against APOEL at Hotspur Way would mean we would go straight into the round of 8 as oppose to the last 16 where we would be given a tricky away game. The last time these sides met back in September, Spurs succumbed to a shock 1-0 defeat. With that being the Cypriot sides only goal of the campaign, they have conceded 20 goals including a 10-0 thrashing to Real Madrid. That being said one thing that is imperative in youth football especially, is that you can’t underestimate your opposition and in this case even more so! Therefore I would expect Scott Parker to field a strong side on Wednesday. Sadly I will be unable to attend the game and it is not being broadcast in the UK, so fans will have to follow Twitter for updates. COYS
Doubtful: Brooklyn Lyons-Foster(who I saw in a protective boot on Saturday), Matt Lock, Jonathan Dinzeyi, Moroyin Omolabi, Nick Tsaroulla.
My predicted lineup: (4-3-3) Austin, Eyoma, Marsh, Tanganga, Brown, P. Maghoma,Duncan, Roles, Richards, Griffiths, Bennetts.
Subs from: De Bie, Reynolds, A.Shashoua, Reynolds, Hinds, Bowden, P.Patterson.
My score prediction: 4-0 to Spurs.
One to watch: APOEL’s left back Constantinos Karayiannis who scored against Spurs in the reverse fixture.