Spurs under 19’s versus Crvena Zvezda: (match preview)

In game weeks four of this seasons UEFA youth league group stages, Ryan Mason’s Spurs under 19 side travel to Belgrade to face Serbian side Crvena Zvezda, a side who they defeated 9-2 in the last game week. Ryan Mason’s side will be eager to win this game as it will massively boost their chances of qualifying from the group. However, Spurs are missing a number of players to injury and they could also be without inform centre forward Troy Parrott who was named on the bench for the senior side against Everton on Sunday. Tomorrow’s opposition played ok against us at Hotspur Way, in the reverse fixture, until they went 5-2 down and then they seemed to play at a lower intensity. Take nothing away from Spurs who were excellent on the day however, the Crvena Zvezda team looked like they didn’t have the stamina for Ryan Mason’s high pressing side. I would expect Mason to make a couple of changes from that 9-2 win by handing possible starts to Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Paris Maghoma. It will be interesting to see how strong Spurs go on Wednesday considering the nature of that 9-2 win. However, this will be a tougher game for Spurs in Belgrade, and there could be a decent crowd in attendance at the Voždovac stadium for Wednesday’s match. I still however, believe that Spurs will manage to get the win but it will possibly be by a much lower margin. For those of you wanting to watch the game it is being shown live on BT Sport. My in-depth match report will be out on Thursday evening. I would like to wish Ryan Mason’s side all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Oluwayemi, Lusala, Lyons-Foster, Binks, Cirkin, Oakley-Boothe, Bowden (c), Markanday, Maghoma, Bennett, Parrott.

Subs from: Kurylowicz, Cesay, Eyoma, Walcott, Robson, Pedder, Whittaker.

Injured/unavailable: Michael Craig.

Doubtful: Jeremy Kyezu, Enock Asante, Kion Etete, Rodel Richards.

Previous meeting: Spurs 9-2.

My score prediction: Spurs 4-1.

My one to watch: Crvena Zvezda midfielder Milos Pantovic who has netted two goals from three appearances in the UEFA youth league this season. Other players to look out for are forward Borisav Burmaz and goalkeeper Andrija Katic.