After losing their first league game in seven on Monday after losing 1-0 to Derby County, Wayne Burnett’s Spurs under 23 side welcome Manchester United to Hotspur Way on Friday in the Premier League 2 (the game starts at 12pm and I believe that it’s being shown live on MUTV). This will be Spurs’ last PL2 game until the 12th April because of the upcoming international break, and a fascinating game it promises to be. Manchester United sit in sixth place in the division one table with 28 points, one point behind fourth place Spurs, and in the reverse fixture earlier on in the season Spurs lost 4-2 to Manchester United, and the home side that day looked very good. It’s no surprise that with 45 goals scored this season that the club from Lancashire are the second highest scorers in the league this season, as they have such talented forwards such as Joe Hugill, Shola Shoretire and Anthony Elanga. Manchester United are a well rounded side who are capable of causing Spurs problems tomorrow, but Spurs’ fine recent form as well as the fact that they played well on Monday night against Derby despite the fact that they played the majority of the game with ten men will give them confidence. I wrote a report of Monday’s game against Derby and I also plan on doing one on tomorrow’s game, a game for which I would like to wish the team all the very best of luck for.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Oluwayemi, Marsh, Lusala, Omole, Cirkin, Bowden (c), Thorpe, John, Devine, Markanday, Bennett.

Subs from: Lo-Tutala, Paskotši, Michael Craig, Pedder, Mukendi.

Injured/unavailable: Brooklyn Lyons-Foster (suspended), Marqes Muir (suspended).

Doubtful: Kion Etete.

Previous meeting: Spurs 2-4 

My score prediction: Spurs 3-2.

My one to watch: Manchester United’s 17 year old centre-forward Joe Hugill. The former Sunderland Academy player has scored ten goals from 16 PL2 appearances for Manchester United’s under 23 side this season. 

Spurs’ under 23 side are currently on a seven game unbeaten run in the Premier League 2, and Wayne Burnett’s side are still in with a chance of winning Division One. Spurs’ opponents on Monday (the game starts at 19:00pm) are Derby County who are currently two points behind Spurs in sixth place in the league. The game which takes place at the Loughborough University Stadium will be a very competitive one between two very good teams. Spurs lost 2-1 at home to Derby in the reverse fixture earlier on in the season despite going ahead early on in the game thanks to a goal from Alfie Devine. Spurs have the third best away form in the league this season after having picked up 17 points from nine games, whereas Derby have picked up 16 points from nine home games. Having seen a lot of the current Derby under 23 side play I have been impressed with defenders Harrison Solomon and Kornell McDonald, as well as creative midfielder Louie Sibley who in fact came off the bench to play for Derby’s first team at the weekend. Derby are a good footballing side and the Spurs defence will have to be alert during tomorrow’s match. I would like to wish the team all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Oluwayemi, Lavinier, Marsh, Omole, Cirkin, Bowden (c), Thorpe, Bennett, Devine, Markanday, Etete.

Subs from: Kurylowicz, Muir, Pedder, Mukendi, Scarlett.

Injured/unavailable: Brooklyn Lyons-Foster (suspended).

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 1-2.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Derby forward Cameron Cresswell (21), who has scored four goals from 13 PL2 appearances this season. 

Spurs’ under 18 side will make the fairly short trip to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Saturday morning for their Premier League South game with Chelsea (the game starts at 11am). Matt Taylor’s Spurs side last played Chelsea in a competitive game way back in the November of 2019, and on that day Spurs lost the game 5-3, in what was really a game of two halves. Chelsea currently sit in sixth place in the league, four points off of fourth place Spurs. This London derby will be a very competitive game of football, but Spurs have won their last two league games at Cobham, so it will be interesting to see if they can make it three wins in a row there.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Lo-Tutala (c), Lusala, Muir, Paskotši, Hackett, Michael Craig, Devine, Mundle, Robson, Mathurin, Scarlett.

Subs from: Maguire, Kyezu, Matthew Craig, Whittaker, Donley.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 3-5.

My score prediction: Spurs 4-2.

My one to watch: Chelsea’s top scorer in the league at under 18 level this season – Jude Soonsup-Bell. The 17 year old has scored 12 league goals for Chelsea at this level so far this season. 

After losing 5-0 away to Fulham on Wednesday in the league, Spurs’ under 18 side face Aston Villa on Saturday (the game starts at 12:00pm). It’s third versus fourth in the Premier League South at Aston Villa’s training ground, with Spurs currently one point behind Aston Villa on 25 points, and Aston Villa actually beat Spurs 2-0 in the reverse fixture earlier on in the season despite playing with ten men for a fair bit of that game. Aston Villa have won eight, drawn two and lost just one of their 11 league games this season, and they currently have a very good chance of winning the Premier League South this season. It will be interesting to see whether Dane Scarlett who is Spurs’ top scorer at this level this season will play, after he missed the Fulham game because he was with the first team. This will be an interesting but very tough game for Spurs, but I would like to wish them all the very best of luck for the match. 

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Lo-Tutala (c), Cassanova, Muir, Paskotši, Hackett, Devine, John, Mathurin, Robson, Santiago, Scarlett.

Subs from: Hayton, Matthew Craig, Mundle, Whittaker, Donley.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 0-2.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1

My one to watch: Brad Young. The 18 year old forward is Aston Villa’s top scorer in the league this season with ten goals.

Matt Taylor’s Spurs under 18 side return to league action on Wednesday afternoon (the game starts at 13.00pm) after having not played a league game for a little while. Spurs will travel to New Malden in Surrey, where they will play Fulham at the London School of Economics Sports Ground. Spurs occupy fourth place in the Premier League South, but are only one point behind Fulham who are in second place on 26 points. Spurs’ last competitive game which was against Brighton at Hotspur Way saw them come from behind to win 2-1 thanks to a late winner from midfielder Max Robson, a player who actually came off the bench last weekend to make his competitive under 23 debut for Spurs. Fulham have only lost two of their last ten league games at this level, and they have recorded impressive victories over Chelsea and Aston Villa in that time. Fulham have goals in their side through the likes of the prolific Jay Stansfield, top scorer this season Mika Bierith and the creative Oliver O’Neill who is also really good from set pieces. This will be another tough and very competitive game for Spurs, but they did beat Fulham 3-0 in the reverse fixture at Hotspur Way earlier on in the season. I would like to wish Spurs all the very best of luck for Saturday’s game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Lo-Tutala (c), Lusala, Muir, Paskotši, Hackett, Matthew Craig, Michael Craig, Mathurin, Robson, Santiago, Whittaker.

Subs from: Hayton, Cesay, Cassanova, Mundle, Donley.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 3-0.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-2.

My one to watch: Fulham’s prolific centre-forward Jay Stansfield (18) who scored 22 leagues goals at under 18 league level last season.

It’s second place versus fifth place in the Premier League 2 division one table on Friday (the game starts at 12pm), as Spurs’ under 23 side host Everton at Hotspur Way. Wayne Burnett’s side come in to this game on the back of a five game unbeaten run, an unbeaten run from which they have picked up 11 points from. Everton went on a similarly good run up until they lost 3-1 to Manchester City in their last league game. These two sides met earlier on in the season in Southport last October, the score that day finished 0-0, but Spurs did dominate that game at times but neither side could score that all important goal on the day. David Unsworth’s Everton side have been very difficult to beat in recent years for Spurs, in fact since the Premier League 2 started for the 2016/17 season Spurs have only won one of eight meetings with Everton. A well structured side who have in fact won  the Premier League 2 division one title before, Unsworth’s side play good football and are good at keeping the ball and at defending. Everton’s top scorer at under 23 level this season Ellis Simms (he scored eight goals for their under 23 side) joined League One side Blackpool on loan last month so he won’t be playing on Friday. However, Everton do still have goals in their side with the likes of forward Nathan Broadhead and defender Thierry Small all chipping in with some goals so far this season. Spurs’ top scorer at this level this season is Kion Etete who was deservedly nominated for the January Premier League 2 player of the month award recently. Friday’s game will be an interesting one, and like Spurs’ last two league games it could be another very close game of football. I would like to wish Wayne Burnett’s side all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Oluwayemi, Lavinier, Lyons-Foster (c), Omole, Markanday, Marsh, Bowden, Scarlett, Devine, Bennett, Etete.

Subs from: Kurylowicz, Muir, John, Thorpe, Mukendi.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: 0-0.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Everton’s 22 year old former Wales under 21 international Nathan Broadhead, who has five league goal contributions (three goals and two assists) for Everton’s under 23 side so far this season.

Our inform under 23 side face Southampton’s B team on Sunday afternoon (the game starts at 14:00pm) in the Premier League 2. The game which takes place at Snows Stadium, the home of AFC Totton, is Spurs’ 15th league game of the season, a season which Wayne Burnett’s side have done really well in so far. Spurs are in second place in the league table with 24 points from 14 games, and Spurs’ opponents on Sunday are currently in the relegation zone in 11th place, after picking up 11 points from 12 games. Last season these sides only met on one occasion with the score that day ending 2-2, in what was really a game of two halves, with Spurs dominating the first half and Southampton dominating the second half. Unbeaten in their last four league games, Spurs recorded a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in their last game, and it was a match that sounded like Spurs were the better team in. Sunday’s hosts Southampton have only won three of their 12 league games this season, although a number of their under 23 players have been involved in first team match day squads this season. Tricky left-winger/left-back Will Ferry is a player who could potentially cause Spurs problems down the left flank with his skill, while Kazeem Olaigbe has scored three goals from four appearances for Southampton’s under 18 side so far this season. Southampton are a side who play good football so this will be another difficult game for Spurs who since their last game have seen a number of their squad go out on loan or left the club permanently, players such as Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Maurizio Pochettino and Kazaiah Sterling. I would like to wish Spurs all the very best of luck for Sunday’s game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Oluwayemi, Lavinier, Lyons-Foster, Omole, Markanday, Marsh, Bowden, Bennett, Devine, Scarlett, Etete.

Subs from: Kurylowicz, Muir, Thorpe, John, Mukendi.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: 2-2.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-1.

My one to watch: Republic of Ireland youth international Will Ferry, who can play as a left-winger or as a left-back. Ferry is a very skilful and direct player.

Spurs’ under 18 side face Brighton in the Premier League South, on Saturday morning (the game starts at 11:30am) at Hotspur Way. Matt Taylor’s side will be looking to return to winning ways in the league by recording their first league win of 2021 (their previous and only league game of 2021 was a 4-1 away defeat to Arsenal). Spurs are still in with a chance of winning the Premier League South and they currently occupy third place in the league table, while tomorrow’s visitors Brighton are currently in sixth place in the league, after picking up 18 points from 12 matches. The last time that these sides met earlier on in the season, the game finished 1-1 after Odeluga Offiah’s opener was cancelled out by Dane Casanova’s second half penalty. Brighton who are managed by Mark Beard, have only lost one of their last seven league games, and in recent seasons they have been quite a difficult side to win against. Last season we lost 3-2 at home to Brighton in the league, before very narrowly beating them 1-0 away, thanks to a fine goal from J’Neil Bennett. Tomorrow’s game is likely to be another close one, but with both teams having scored a lot of goals in the league this season, it could also be a very exciting game of football. I would like to wish Matt Taylor’s side all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Lo-Tutala (c), Cesay, Muir, Paskotši, Kyezu, Matthew Craig, John, Mathurin, Robson, Santiago, Scarlett.

Subs from: Hayton, Michael Craig, Mundle, Donley.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: Dermi Lusala.

Previous meeting: Spurs 1-0.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-2.

My one to watch: Brighton’s Australian former Sydney FC forward Cameron Peupion (18), who has scored seven goals from ten Premier League South appearances so far this season.

Having won their last three Premier League 2 games, Wayne Burnett’s Spurs under 23 side will go into Friday’s (the game starts at 12pm) north London derby against Arsenal in great confidence, at Hotspur Way. Spurs’ last three league wins have seen them beat Liverpool, Brighton and West Ham respectively, while Arsenal have impressively won their last five Premier League 2 matches, scoring 17 goals in the process. Steve Bould’s Arsenal side sit in sixth place in the league after picking up 17 points from 12 games, and are a very talented side, with players who could potentially really test us in today’s behind closed doors fixture. One of those players is centre-forward Folarin Balogun who has scored six league goals and registered three assists so far this season, but there are also many other really exciting players in this Arsenal side. Forward Nikolaj Moller has scored five league goals so far this season, while midfielder Ben Cottrell has scored three league goals so far this season. Former Spurs Academy player Jonathan Dinzeyi is currently playing for Arsenal’s under 23 side after leaving Spurs after his contract came to an end last summer, so it will be interesting to see if he starts in central defence against us today. Arsenal are a side at this level who like to have the ball and love to go forward with it, and they did this against us in the reverse fixture at their London Colney training ground earlier in the season, although we ended up winning that game 1-0, thanks to a goal from Rodel Richards. I’m anticipating a very interesting and end to end game today, although I do believe that Spurs do have the quality to do the double over Arsenal in the league this season. Since our Premier League 2 win over West Ham last Friday, Spurs have loaned out under 23 players Brandon Austin and Malachi Fagan-Walcott, who have joined Orlando City and Dundee FC respectively. I would like to wish current league leaders Spurs all the very best of luck for today’s game against Arsenal. 

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Oluwayemi, Marsh, Lyons-Foster (c), Omole, Lavinier, Bowden, Thorpe, Bennett, Roles, Markanday, Etete.

Subs from: Kurylowicz, Muir, Devine, Pochettino, Sterling.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 1-0.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Clinical 19 year old Arsenal centre-forward Folarin Balogun, who has scored four goals from his last three Premier League 2 appearances. Balogun’s movement off the ball and excellent finishing ability means that the Spurs defence will have to be alert to stop him from scoring today.

Matt Taylor’s Spurs under 18 side will play their first league game of 2021 when they take on north London rivals Arsenal at their London Colney training ground on Saturday morning (the game starts at 11am). Spurs actually only lost two league games in the year 2020, and that means that they are still in with a good chance of winning this seasons Premier League South league (Spurs are currently two points off league leaders Crystal Palace). We beat Arsenal 2-0 at Hotspur Way in game week two of the season back in September, and that days opponents Arsenal have won four league games since that match, and they currently occupy seventh spot in the league, after picking up 16 points from nine matches. And Arsenal have the best home record in the league so far this season, so this will be another tough game for Spurs, who come into this match after recording a 6-2 win over Newport County in the third round of the FA Youth Cup earlier in the month. Arsenal have influential players who are eligible to play tomorrow, such as Charlie Patino, Marcelo Flores and forward Luke Plange who has scored four league goals from eight appearances so far this season. I believe that for Spurs defender Maksim Paskotši should be able to return to the team after suspension, following the red card that he picked up against West Brom last month. I would like to wish the Spurs team all the very best of luck for this north London derby. A win for Spurs could move them up to the top of the league table.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Lo-Tutala (c), Lusala, Muir, Paskotši, Hackett, Matthew Craig, Michael Craig, Whittaker, Mundle, Santiago, Scarlett.

Subs from: Hayton, Cesay, Casanova, Robson, Donley.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 2-0.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Skilful central midfielder Charlie Patino, who has made eight appearances for Arsenal at this level this season.