Spurs under 23’s versus Derby County: (match preview)

After getting two wins from their first two matches of the PL2 season Wayne Burnett’s high flying development side welcome Derby County to Hotspur Way on Friday afternoon, for game week three of the new season. Last Friday Burnett’s side put in a glorious team performance to overcome Manchester City by three goals to one at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The weekend before that they beat Liverpool by four goals to nil. Darren Wassall’s Derby County side have won one and lost one so far this season so they’ll be hoping to put in a performance similar to the one which saw them beat Southampton in game week two. The ‘ Rams ‘ finished in seventh place in the PL2 division one last season after accumulating 30 points from 22 games. Some Derby players to look out for on Friday afternoon include experienced first team players Duane Holmes and Chris Martin if involved! Derby captain and centre half Max Bird as well as Irish silky midfielder and forward Jayden Mitchell-Lawson are other players to look out for. Derby are usually a well structured and defensive side who like to be very direct in there play. Last season we lost 1-0 to Derby at Pride Park before beating them 3-1 on the final day of the season. I am expecting another physical battle when these teams meet on Friday afternoon, especially if first team player Chris Martin is involved. Spurs on the other hand will be hoping to continue there fine start to the season and they’ll be hoping that 17 year old Troy Parrott can fire them to victory once again after his heroics against Manchester City. I shall be reporting on Fridays game at Hotspur Way and my in depth match report of the game will be out later that night. I would like to wish Wayne Burnett’s side all the very best of luck for what will be a tricky game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Austin, Okedina, Eyoma (c), Lyons-Foster, Hinds, Bowden, Maghoma, Markanday, Oakley-Boothe, Tracey, Parrott.

Subs from: De Bie, Dinzeyi, A.Shashoua, Clarke, Richards. 

Injured/unavailable: Malachi Walcott, Phoenix Patterson, Maurizio Pochettino, Maximus Tainio, J’Neil Bennett, Jeremie Mukendi, Dennis Cirkin, Maxwell Statham.

Doubtful: Samuel Shashoua, Harvey White, Tariq Hinds.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-0. 

Previous meeting: Spurs 3-1.

My one to watch: The ‘ Rams ‘ experienced centre forward and Scotland international Chris Martin (29). Martin who played in Derby’s last game at this level could well play again on Friday as he presumably works on his match fitness. The former Hull City and Fulham strikers physicality and aerial prowess is something which could potentially cause our defenders some trouble along with his sheer experience.