Spurs XI versus Ebbsfleet United: (match preview)

Our development sides first game of the 2019/20 pre-season takes place tomorrow afternoon at the Kuflink Stadium, when Wayne Burnett’s team take on National League side and former nursery club Ebbsfleet United. A Spurs XI as it has been described in the run up to the game, will be taking on the Kent based club for the third time in recent years, the previous two friendlies being part of the transfer of Shilow Tracey to Spurs back in January 2016. This will be a good first test of the new season for Burnett’s young side, who could be without a number of their more experienced players due to the forthcoming ICC cup tour of the Far East. This could mean that we see a lot of first year pros and second year scholars in action tomorrow, with the likes of Troy Parrott, Anthony Georgiou and Jack Roles unlikely to play. This could however, also be seen as a trial game for those who will be looking make the cut for Mauricio Pochettino’s pre-season squad. Ebbsfleet finished in eighth place in the National League last season, just outside the play offs and Garry Hill’s side will be hoping for another strong season this campaign. A solid and experienced side, the ‘ Fleet ‘ gave us a really good game the last time these teams met back in the summer of 2017. And although they ran out deserved 3-1 winners on that day, Burnett’s side held their own, played some attractive football and they weren’t fazed by the physicality of the non league team. Tomorrow’s game will present the young Spurs lads with an important opportunity to test themselves against some fine players, while also getting the invaluable experience of playing in front of a fairly big crowd. Burnett’s side will come up against some good players tomorrow, of which include solid and experienced goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore (he played in this fixture in 2017), central defender Ayo Obileye, experienced winger Myles Weston and left back Aswad Thomas. It will be a fascinating contest tomorrow and I am intrigued to see how we will fare. Tomorrow afternoons match kicks off at 3pm and tickets will be available on the gate. My in-depth match report of the game shall be out on Sunday. Finally I would like to wish Wayne Burnett’s side all the very best of luck, and I hope that they enjoy the experience.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) De Bie, Hinds, Lyons-Foster, Dinzeyi, Cirkin, White, Bowden (c), Markanday, Maghoma, Tracey, Sterling.

Subs from: Oluwayemi, Kurylowicz, Statham, Okedina, Binks, A.Shashoua, Clarke, Pochettino, Patterson, Richards.

Injured/unavailable: J’Neil Bennett, Jeremie Mukendi.

Doubtful: Malachi Walcott, TJ Eyoma, Marcus Edwards, Samuel Shashoua, Shayon Harrison.

My score prediction: 2-2.

Previous meeting: Ebbsfleet 3-1.

My one to watch: Ebbsfleet’s experienced left winger/midfielder Myles Weston is a player who could cause the Spurs defence bother tomorrow afternoon. The Antigua and Barbuda international has good pace and skill about him and he could potentially cause problems for whoever’s playing in the right back position for Spurs. Weston (31) made 40 league appearances for the ‘ Fleet ‘ last season.