After recording a 1-1 draw with Leeds United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday evening, Spurs’ Under 23 side face Arsenal on Friday evening (the game starts at 19:00pm), in the final Under 23’s North London Derby of this season at Premier League 2 level. Arsenal won 2-1 against Spurs at Hotspur Way earlier in the season, but it was a close game, and one in which Spurs could well have won had they not have had a player sent off in the 59th minute of that game. Arsenal are in third place in Premier League 2 Division one, three points ahead of sixth placed Spurs. Wayne Burnett’s Spurs side were missing three defenders and Under 23 regulars for their last match because of suspension, but Tobi Omole (former Arsenal Academy player) and Kallum Cesay are eligible to return for the game on Friday. Winger Omari Giraud-Hutchinson was very impressive in the reverse fixture in August, as was talented and physical centre-forward Mika Bierith. This will be a difficult game for Spurs, as they look for their first league win of 2022. However, it’s a North London Derby, and it should be a great game of football. I would like to wish the team all the very best of luck for the game. 

My predicted lineup: Oluwayemi, Lusala, Muir, Omole, Lavinier (c), Matthew Craig, Santiago, Mundle, Devine, Bennett, Robson.

Substitutes from: Lo-Tutala, Cesay, Sayers, Davies, Williams.

Injured/unavailable: Malachi Fagan-Walcott (suspended).

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 1-2.

My score prediction: 2-2.

My one to watch: Omari Giraud-Hutchinson. The skilful Arsenal winger provided two assists in the reverse fixture earlier on in the season. Giraud-Hutchinson has scored six league goals and provided six assists so far this season, and with his skill on the ball, good pace and creativity, the Spurs defenders will have to defend well to stop him from making a good impression on the game.