Spurs under 18’s versus Reading: (match preview)

Before I start my preview of this weekends game I’d like to congratulate the Tottenham under 17 side that won the Euro youth cup in Germany last week. Matt Wells and the lads continued their excellent start to the season, as a team consisting mainly of first year scholars, as well as under 16’s and a couple of second years overcame some fine youth teams on route to picking up the trophy. Our lads had a great tournament by all accounts, we reached the final courtesy of a 3-0 win over Anderlecht, before defeating Galatasaray 1-0 in the final courtesy of Harvey White’s first half penalty. Meanwhile Matt Wells’ under 18 side will be looking to continue their brilliant start to the new season when they face Reading at Hotspur Way on Saturday morning. Having won their opening four games of the new season, Spurs will be hoping to maintain their 100% record when the royals come to town at the weekend. David Dodds Reading haven’t started the season too badly themselves, and with three wins from their opening four league matches they currently occupy fifth spot in the table. Our under 18’s suffered contrasting fortunes when these two teams met in the league last season. After losing 1-0 against Reading in the reverse fixture at Hogwood Park, Spurs responded superbly to Jonathan Dinzeyi’s first half sending off in the home fixture later on in the campaign. Inspired by an excellent performance from former Spurs youngster Reo Griffiths, Spurs ended up winning that fixture 4-0. After having brushed aside the likes of Chelsea and Southampton already this season you’d have to fancy Matt Wells’ side making it five wins from five on Saturday. However, with our under 23’s playing against Manchester City the night before, key under 18 players J’Neil Bennett and Paris Maghoma are likely to feature in that game and would hence miss the Reading game the following morning. As would centre forward Troy Parrott who is suspended for the Reading game.

Another factor which could force Matt Wells into shuffling his squad around, much like he did when we played Southampton in our last game, is the fact that our under 19’s get their UEFA youth league campaign underway only a couple of days later. Our under 19’s opening UEFA youth league game against Inter Milan on Tuesday afternoon could mean that the likes of Bennett, Bowden, Maghoma and possibly even Markanday are rested for the Reading game. Even without those players Spurs should be able to overcome Reading on the day. Reading’s danger man is the inform Thierry Nevers who operates as a centre forward. In addition, former Spurs schoolboy Marcel Elva-Fontaine will be a threat out wide. Sadly I will be unable to report on the game as I will be at Wembley watching our first team take on Liverpool. I wish all of our lads the very best of luck.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) De Bie (og), Lyons-Foster, Walcott, Binks, Cirkin, A.Shashoua (c), White, Clarke, Markanday, Patterson, Mukendi.

OG* = Overage goalkeeper.

Subs from: Oluwayemi, Tainio, Statham, Cooper, Asante.

Doubtful: N/A.

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Kurylowicz (currently on a youth loan with Barnet), Troy Parrott (suspended) and Rodel Richards (injured).

Previous meeting: Spurs 4-0.

My score prediction: Spurs 4-2.

My one to watch: The royals inform forward Thierry Nevers who has four goals from Reading’s opening four league matches this season.