Spurs under 19’s versus Olympiacos: (match preview)

(This photograph is from Tottenham Hotspur FC).

Ryan Mason’s Tottenham Hotspur under 19 side will begin this seasons UEFA youth league odyssey tomorrow afternoon when they take on Greek Side Olympiacos, at their training centre in Agios Ioannis Rentis, Athens. Group game number one is a very tricky one for Spurs as they take on a team who they will likely know very little about. This is Olympiacos’ first taste of this competition since the 2017/18 competition. ‘ Erythrolefki ‘ have recorded some impressive victories over a number of top teams in this competition since they first entered it in 2012. Olympiacos have beaten the likes of Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Juventus to date and my research tells me that they have been strong at home. The warm weather along with the fact that Spurs have not played Olympiacos before will make Wednesday’s game a potentially very tricky one for young Ryan Mason’s side, despite their experience in this competition over recent seasons. Spurs’ UEFA youth league squad was named last week and the overage players included as part of this years squad is as follows; Jonathan De Bie, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Rodel Richards, TJ Eyoma. Left out surprisingly is the talented Armando Shashoua. Still missing a number of important players going into tomorrow’s important game, Spurs will likely be without Dennis Cirkin, J’Neil Bennett and Malachi Walcott as they are all recovering from injuries. I have done as much research as I possibly could on tomorrow’s opposition and some of the players to keep an eye on if fit include defender Apostolos-Ilias Martinis and forward Alexandros Voilis. Ricardo Martin Peres’ side will likely be really up for tomorrow’s game like ourselves, and they’ll be looking to start this seasons competition with a win. We experienced a very difficult game when we took on fellow Greek club PAOK in this competition last season. Tomorrow’s game will be shown live on BT Sport 2 and I would like to wish Ryan Mason’s side all the very best of luck for their UEFA youth league opener.

My predicted lineup: (3-4-2-1) De Bie, Eyoma (c), Lyons-Foster, Binks, Cesay, Bowden, White, Lusala, Markanday, Maghoma, Richards. 

Subs from: Oluwayemi, Muir, Oakley-Boothe, Pedder, Whittaker, Clarke, Asante.

Injured/unavailable: Dennis Cirkin, J’Neil Bennett.

Doubtful: Maximus Tainio, Jeremy Kyezu, Nile John, Michael Craig, Malachi Walcott, Maurizio Pochettino.

Previous meeting: N/A.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: The Greek clubs fairly prolific 19 year old centre forward Alexandros Voilis.