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

Unbeaten and unfazed by any opposition that they have come up against so far this season. Matt Wells under 18 side will go head to head with Fulham on Saturday morning in a London derby at Motspur Park, as the young Spurs lads look to consolidate their place at the top of the under 18 southern division. Wells side haven’t had an under 18 game in the last two weeks and they’ll be raring to go against our London rivals tomorrow morning. Colin Omogbehin’s Fulham side have started the league season with three wins and two draws from their opening eight league matches, and they currently occupy seventh position in the table. Long famed for their academy set up, the ‘Cottagers’ have produced some fine young talents over recent seasons. One could even argue that they have done a better job than the so called bigger clubs at bringing players into the first team. Over the last couple of seasons Fulham have contested some enthralling games with our under 18 side. Last season we lost two of our three encounters with the west London club, although we did manage to beat them 2-1 at Motspur Park in the league. It is almost two years to the day since I was last at Motspur Park for a bitterly cold mornings game against the ‘Cottagers’. That day Samuel Shashoua scored a late winner from the penalty spot in what was a fiercely competitive game. How times have changed! Tomorrow’s Fulham side contains a whole host of talented players. Attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho is Fulham’s top scorer this season with four goals, whilst wide man Sonny Hilton is a tricky winger who tore us apart in the premier league cup last season. In addition, Fulham’s talented schoolboy midfielder Harvey Elliot made his first team debut for Fulham in a league cup game against Millwall in September. I think that this game will be the biggest test that Matt Wells side have come up against since they took on Chelsea back in August. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s game and as ever it is always a great pleasure to see the fantastic group of players take to the field. Apologies about the shorter than usual preview, my report of our game against Fulham will be out by Monday at the latest.

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

Subs from: Oluwayemi, Walcott, Statham, Pedder, Clarke.

Injured/unavailable: Enoch Asante.

Doubtful: Troy Parrott (Involvement with the under 23’s the previous day).

Previous meeting: Spurs 2-1.

My score prediction: Spurs 4-2.

My one to watch: Fabio Carvalho. The 16 year old Portuguese Fulham forward, is Colin Omogbehin’s sides top scorer this season with four goals. The first year scholar is very highly rated.