Spurs under 23’s versus Blackburn Rovers: (match preview)

It has been almost a month since our under 23’s last played a competitive game of football however, Wayne Burnett’s side will return to PL2 action on Monday evening when they host Blackburn Rovers at the Lamex stadium. This match is a relegation six pointer, with both sides still not completely safe of the drop going into the final three league games of the season. Damien Johnson’s Blackburn Rovers side sit above Spurs in the table in ninth place, but they are only above us because of goal difference. Last seasons Division Two champions have adapted reasonably well to life in the top flight of the PL2. Despite enduring a difficult start to the season the Lancashire club have done well to be in the position that they are at this stage of the season. The ‘ Rovers ‘ have a number of promising young players in their development side. Centre forward Joe Nuttall (22) is Blackburn’s top scorer in the PL2 this season with six goals, while another good offensive player in Johnson’s side is the versatile Daniel Butterworth. Another attacking player worth keeping an eye on tomorrow evening is Joe Rankin-Costello (19), primarily operating out on the wing the skilful Rankin-Costello has also filled in at right back on occasions this season. Another of Blackburn’s most highly rated youngsters is former Manchester City player Jacob Davenport who operates as a central defensive midfielder. After picking up some impressive victories over the likes of Liverpool and league leaders Everton this season, Damien Johnson’s well structured side have tended to perform better in big games. During the reverse fixture last September, Blackburn gave a strong Spurs side which included Luke Amos and Oliver Skipp a good game however, after being reduced to ten men early on in the game the home side began to crumble and Spurs took full control of the game. In the end Burnett’s side recorded an impressive 3-1 win. The young Lilywhites will be hoping that they can do the double over Blackburn when both of those teams meet tomorrow evening. After recording an impressive 2-1 away win against Leicester in their last game, Wayne Burnett’s side will be feeling confident going into their final three league games of this season. We are only three points off the relegation zone and it really is a must win game tomorrow for Burnett’s injury hit side tomorrow.

My in-depth match report of Monday’s match will be out on Tuesday night. I would like to wish Wayne Burnett’s side all the very best of luck for this important PL2 game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Austin, Hinds, Tanganga (c), Dinzeyi, Reynolds, Skipp, White, Oakley-Boothe, Maghoma, Tracey, Roles.

Subs from: De Bie, Lyons-Foster, Marsh, Duncan, Parrott.

Injured/unavailable: Luke Amos, Dennis Cirkin, Jamie Bowden, Maximus Tainio, Rodel Richards, Jeremie Mukendi, Enoch Asante.

Doubtful: TJ Eyoma, Armando Shashoua, J’Neil Bennett.

Previous meeting: Spurs 3-1.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-1.

My one to watch: ‘ Rovers ‘ forward Daniel Butterworth (19) has been in good goal scoring form for Blackburn’s development side this season and the versatile forward impressed me during the reverse fixture back in September. He is a player who the Spurs defence will have to monitor closely.