Spurs under 18’s v Chelsea- FA Youth cup semifinal, second leg: (match preview)

Date: Saturday march 18th kick off: 17:15pm
Live: ITV4
Head2Heads: 1-1, 3-2 Chelsea, 2-1 Chelsea.

After an enthralling first leg at the Lane, Where John McDermott’s Spurs side lost 2-1 to Chelsea on Tuesday evening. McDermott’s side go up against Chelsea tomorrow for a second time, as both sides battle it out for a place in the final of the FA Youth cup. Saturday evenings encounter at Stamford Bridge which is live on ITV4, is going to be a fascinating match, despite being dominated by the blues for the majority of the first leg, Spurs’ fight back in the last 20 minutes, showed the sheer quality that our youth academy possesses. Our under 18’s have shown throughout the season, why they are considered one of the finest youth teams in the country, their excellent cup run testament to their talents on the pitch. Tomorrows second leg will be atough task for the Lillywhites. However, having watched this team throughout the season, I have no doubt that we can overcome the one goal deficit in front of us and progress to the final, though there will need to be a sensational performance from the lads if they are to break down this magnificently structured Chelsea side. With the creativity of Shashoua and Roles, and the pace of Griffiths and Bennett’s there are many ways to get the ball up top to the clinical Kazaiah Sterling, our biggest goal threat. Whatever the outcome tomorrow one thing is certain, this team have the done club and supporters proud and the fans will be cheering them on in tomorrows exciting match. It would be an absolutely fantastic occasion if we could defeat our London rivals on their own turf. COYS

Team news: I’m expecting McDermott to rotate his side ahead of tomorrows tie, I’m predicting the inform Jack Roles will come into the midfield for Oliver Skipp, whilst Jaden Brown may get an opportunity at left back. Brandon Austin put in a man of the match performance on Tuesday, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the talented Alfie Whiteman get an opportunity in between the sticks. I reckon Marcus Edwards playing could make the difference between the two sides tomorrow, but the academy prospect is on the fringes of the first team and I would be surprised to see him included in the squad.

My predicted lineup: Whiteman, Eyoma, Tanganga, Dinzeyi, Brown, Marsh, Roles, Griffiths, Shashoua, Bennetts, Sterling.

My predicted score: 2-0 to Spurs.

One to watch: Ike Ugbo, having scored in the first leg the clinical centre forward provides a real threat in front of goal.

Interesting fact: Spurs have lifted the prestigious FA Youth cup trophy on three occasions, in 1970, 1974 and most recently in 1990 that team included goalkeeper Ian Walker who went on to have a successful career with the Lillywhites.

Spurs under 18’s v Chelsea-FA youth semifinal first leg: (match preview)

Our under 18’s are involved in their biggest match of the season, when they face Chelsea in the first leg of their FA youth cup semi-final later this evening. This will be the biggest game that this squad of players have ever been involved in, during their careers so far. The FA youth cup is the ultimate prize for youngsters in England, since its inception in 1952 Spurs have got their hands on the prestigious trophy three times, and I really believe that this class of players can go all the way this time round. Spurs have defeated Stevenage, QPR, Norwich and Newcastle on route to the semis, but John McDermott’s side will face their biggest test of the tournament when they face Chelsea at White Hart Lane. Chelsea have won the last three tournaments, and in doing so have shown exactly why they have one of the best youth academies in the world. Some of the blues talented players include, Mason Mount, Trevor Chalobah and Ike Ugbo. Tonight’s match at White Hart Lane which is also live on ITV 4, will be a fantastic tie, and I’m confident that our young stars of the future will put in a memorable display. The FA youth cup means so much to a lot of Spurs fans, and I have great believe in this talented crop of players. COYS⚽️
My predicted lineup: Whiteman, Eyoma, Tanganga, Dinzeyi, Tsaroulla, Marsh, Oakley-Boothe, Shashoua, Roles , Griffiths, Sterling.

My predicted score line: 4-2 to Spurs courtesy of goals from Sterling x2, Shashoua and Griffiths.

One to watch: Chelsea’s creative midfielder Mason Mount.

Spurs under 23’s v Reading: (match preview)

Spurs under 23′ play Reading this evening in the PL2, as Stevenage’s Lamex stadium hosts Spurs’ development squad for one final time this season. Ugo Ehiogu’s side face the leagues bottom of the table Reading, as they look to ensure their group 1 status. Though only a point above the relegation zone, our development side have put in some impressive performances over the past couple of matches and with three victories in their last four home matches, the Lillywhites will fancy their chances this evening against a struggling royals side. When we played Reading in the reverse fixture back in August, Ehiogu’s side ran out comfortable 4-1 winners. But you just don’t know what teams will play in the PL2 league, for example Reading fielded senior striker Dennis Rakels in their last match at home to Liverpool, and if Reading decide to involve more over 23 year olds this evening, then our sides task will be that bit tougher. I will be at tonight’s match and shall provide a match report for what should be an interesting match. COYS

Team news: Loanees Luke Amos, Ryan Loft and Shayon Harrison are unlikely to feature this evening due to their teams midweek fixtures. However, I would expect Will Miller to be in the squad, with Burton not playing again until the weekend. Meanwhile, I’d be very surprised to see any of under 18’s involved this evening, this due to the fact that the under 18’s play Chelsea tomorrow night at the Lane in the all important FA Youth cup semifinal, first leg. I would also expect to see Pau Lopez and Kyle Walker-Peters involved tonight.
My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Lopez, Walker-Peters, Maghoma, Lesniak, Muscatt, Stylianides, Owens, Goddard, Pritchard, Miller, Tracey.

One to watch: Reading’s American strike Andrija Novakovich, and their top scorer in the PL2 with six goals.

My score prediction: 3-2 to Spurs.

Spurs under 23’s versus Arsenal: (match preview)

Our under 23’s are involved in a north London Derby later today, when they face Arsenal in the PL2 at the Gunners Colney training ground. The reverse fixture at Hotspur way saw Arsenal defeat Spurs with a 2-0 victory, but the dismissal of Charlie Owens had a big impact on that game. Ugo Ehiogu’s side who won their last match against Sunderland, have only lost one of their last seven matches in the league but they sit only two points above the relegation zone in seventh place. Today’s match is undoubtedly a massive game for the development side and I’m anticipating a tough match for the youngsters, Arsenal have had a good campaign and boast a talented squad, and their last match against Chelsea saw them field two senior players, in Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck. Interestingly our under 18’s also face Arsenal at their training ground with the game being played this Saturday. I reckon Ehiogu will field an experienced side for today’s match, bearing in mind the under 18’s face Arsenal on Saturday, I predict few of the under 18’s will be played this afternoon with the only exception possibly being Kazaiah Sterling up front. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Pau Lopez start in goal, all loanees won’t be involved today due to the weekend fixtures. COYS

For live updates: Follow Spurs’ official twitter feed.

My team prediction: (4-2-3-1) Lopez, Walker-Peters, Maghoma, Lesniak, Muscatt, Stylianides, Owens, Tracey, Pritchard, Georgiou, Sterling.

My score prediction: 2-2

One to watch: Arsenal striker Stephy Mavididi who is the gunners top scorer in the PL2 with five goals.

Spurs under 18’s versus Newcastle united: (match preview)

The under 18’s FA youth cup adventure continues this evening, when John McDermott’s side face Newcastle united at St James’ park in the quarter finals of England’s most prestigious youth competition. The under 18’s side have been a joy to watch this season and their FA youth cup run has seen them play some beautiful football, with wins over Stevenage, QPR and Norwich seeing them progress to this crucial stage of the competition. However, this evenings game will be one of the biggest games that this crop of players will have been involved in, if McDermott’s side can progress to the semifinals, then they will face Chelsea over two legs. In terms of quality the Lillywhites are the better side, if this were played at the training ground then I believe the lads would run out comfortable winners. But the big difference is that tonight’s match will be played at the 52,000 seater stadium St James’ park, and the iconic stadium could be a quite intimidating experience for the players, with a big crowd expected for this evenings game. Newcastle currently sit in ninth position in the northern section of the under 18 league, but their recent record in the FA Youth cup is one that has to be respected. The magpies have some talented players in their ranks, with striker Lewis Mcnall and Mackenzie Heaney both players to look out for this evening. It would be a fantastic achievement if the lads could win tonight, but regardless of the result this experience will provide a learning curve for McDermott’s side. COYS

One to watch: Newcastle united striker Lewis Mcnall.

You can listen to this evening match on live sports FM, the link is provided below.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Whiteman, Eyoma, Dinzeyi, Tanganga, Tsaroulla, Marsh, Oakley-Boothe, Shashoua, Roles, Bennett’s, Sterling.

My score prediction: 2-1 to Spurs.

Spurs under 23’s versus Sunderland: (match preview)

Our under 23’s are in action this evening as they host Sunderland at the Lamex stadium in the PL2. Ehiogu’s side who are in the relegation zone face a real possibility of being relegated, with just six league matches remaining Ehiogu’s side will be targeting maximum points from tonight’s match. However, tonight’s opponents will provide a tough test for his side, Sunderland sit sixth in the table five points ahead of Spurs and the last time these two sides met, the scores were two a piece. Following the departure of winger Nathan Oduwa to Slovenian champions Olimpija Ljubljana as well as the departure of several loanees, Spurs’ squad has been quite threadbare. Hence there are a couple of under 18 players training with the under 23 squad ahead of tonight’s match, these include: Kazaiah Sterling, Japhet Tanganga, Nick Tsaroulla and Brandon Austin. Sunderlands side include some talented players, with the likes of Joel Asoro, George Honeyman and Ethan Robson, all players to look out for. I will be at this evenings game and as always I will be writing a match report. COYS

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Glover, Walker-Peters, Maghoma, Tanganga, Tsaroulla, Lesniak, Stylianides, Edwards, Pritchard, Tracey, Sterling.

My predicted score line: 2-2.

One to watch: Swedish under 21 international Joel Asoro, the talented forward has already feature for David Moyes’ senior side during the current campaign.