The Spurs Under 18 side will face Arsenal in the Premier League South on Saturday, at Arsenal’s London Colney Training Ground (the game starts at 11:00am), in the first North London Derby of the new season. Stuart Lewis’ Spurs side lost 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion in their most recent league match, but they were unlucky not to get at least a point from that game. Arsenal won both of their fixtures against Spurs at this level last season, and in the most recent meeting between the two sides, they were very good. Arsenal have drawn one and lost one of their opening two Premier League South matches of the 2022/23 season, but this will be a very competitive game. I would like to wish Spurs all the very best of luck for the match. 

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Gunter (c), Abbott, Dorrington, Andiyapan, Linton, Hall, Heaps, McKnight, Black, Akhamrich, Williams,

Subs from: Krasniqi, Chaplin, Bloxham, Irow, Ajayi.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: Rio Kyerematen (the second year scholar had to be substituted in Spurs’ last game, after picking up an injury).

Previous meeting: Spurs 0-5.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Omari Benjamin. The Arsenal forward and first year scholar has scored one goal from two appearances for Arsenal’s Under 18 side, so far this season.

Spurs’ Under 21 side face Liverpool on Friday evening, at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium (the game starts at 19:00pm). Spurs recorded a good 0-0 draw with the current Premier League 2 Division One champions Manchester City last Sunday, and they’ll surely go in to the fixture with Liverpool in good confidence, after playing so well against Manchester City. Liverpool have lost one match, drawn one and also won one, from their first three Premier League 2 fixtures of the 2022/23 season. In their most recent Premier League 2 fixture they won 1-0 against Blackburn Rovers. This will be another difficult game for Spurs, but they’ll be looking to get a good result against Liverpool, after losing to them in their last meeting in this competition, last season. This will be another good game of football, and I’d like to wish Spurs all the very best of luck for the match.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Maguire, Cesay, Muir, Sayers, Ashcroft, Craig, John (c), Mundle, Donley, Mathurin, Santiago.

Subs from: Hayton, Dorrington, Abbott, Robson, Williams.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: Jamie Bowden, Alfie Devine.

Previous meeting: Spurs 1-7.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Oakley Cannonier (18). The Liverpool forward scored a remarkable total of 28 goals from 26 Under 18 Premier League South appearances for Liverpool’s Under 18 side last season, as well as providing four assists. Oakley started the Liverpool Under 21’s last Premier League 2 fixture.

Spurs’ Under 21 side will face the current Premier League 2 Division One champions, Manchester City on Sunday afternoon (the game starts at 12:00pm) at their Academy Stadium. Spurs are looking for their first Premier League 2 win of the season, but Manchester City will be a very difficult team to play against. They have won their first two Premier League 2 matches of the season and they will be looking to win the Premier League 2 Division One, yet again this season. However, Wayne Burnett’s Spurs side won both of their league fixtures against Manchester City at this level last season, and they were two very good performances from Spurs. Manchester City are very good at Academy level, and they have a very good team. 18 year old forward Carlos Borges has started the season really well for Manchester City’s Under 21 side, and he will definitely be a player to watch, if he does play on Sunday. Also, Adedire Mebude has also started the season really well for the Manchester City Under 21 side, and he will also be a player to watch. This will be a very difficult game for Spurs, but hopefully they can get a good result tomorrow. Both Jamie Bowden and Alfie Devine picked up injuries in the Spurs Under 21’s last league game, and they will probably be doubts for the match on Sunday. I would like to wish Spurs all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Keeley, Paskotši, Fagan-Walcott (c), Sayers, Cesay, Craig, Santiago, Mundle, Robson, John, Donley. 

Subs from: Maguire, Ashcroft, Muir, Mathurin.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: Jamie Bowden, Alfie Devine.

Previous meeting: Spurs 3-0.

My score prediction: 2-2.

My one to watch: Carlos Borges (18). Often playing as a winger, Portugal youth international Carlos Borges really impressed when he played against Spurs in the Under 17 Premier League Cup final last season. He is a very skilful, creative and fast winger, who Spurs will have to watch closely tomorrow. Carlos Borges has scored one league goal and provided two assists so far this season for the Manchester City Under 21 side.

Spurs’ Under 18 side face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (the game starts at 12:00pm at Hotspur Way), in their first home Under 18 Premier League South fixture of the season. Stuart Lewis’ side impressively won 1-0 away to Leicester City on the opening day of the Premier League South season. Last season they won two and lost one of their fixtures against West Brom, at this level. This included an impressive 6-1 win over them at Hotspur Way, in the fourth round of the 2021/22 FA Youth Cup. Last season West Brom finished in tenth place in the Premier League South, two points behind Spurs in ninth place. This will be an interesting game, and I’m looking forward to covering the match, especially as I was unable to go to the opening game of the season against Leicester City, last Saturday. I would like to wish Spurs all the very best of luck for the match.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Gunter (c), Abbott, Dorrington, Andiyapan, Linton, Hall, Heaps, McKnight, Kyerematen, Bloxham, Williams.

Subs from: Krasniqi, Bryan-Waugh, Akhamrich, Ajayi, Olusesi.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 2-1.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-1.

My one to watch: Fenton Heard (17). The second year scholar and West Bromwich Albion player scored five goals and provided six assists last season for the West Bromwich Albion Under 18 side, in the Premier League South.

Spurs’ Under 18 side face Leicester City at their new training ground on Saturday (the game starts at 11:30am), in their first Under 18 Premier League South fixture of the 2022/23 season. Leicester won both games against Spurs’ Under 18 side last season in the league, and I was very impressed with how they played in the fixture at Hotspur Way, and Wales Under 21 international Chris Popov was very good in that game, for Leicester. This is a difficult opening game of the season for the Spurs Under 18 side, but I would like to wish Stuart Lewis’ side all the very best of luck for the game, and the season ahead. Unfortunately I can’t get to the match tomorrow, as it’s just too difficult on this occasion, sadly.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Gunter, Bryan-Waugh, Dorrington, Chaplin, Linton, Abbott, Hall, McKnight, Kyerematen, Bloxham, Williams (c).

Subs from: Krasniqi, Andiyapan, Heaps, Owen, Ajayi.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 1-4. 

My score prediction: Spurs 3-2. 

My one to watch: Chris Popov (17). The highly skilful forward is a player who also has great pace, and last season he was in excellent form for the Leicester City Under 18 side.

After recording a 2-2 draw with Leicester City (away) in their opening Premier League 2 fixture of the season on Monday evening, Wayne Burnett’s side host Everton at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium on Friday evening, in the Premier League 2 (the game starts at 19:00pm). Spurs’ Under 23 side won against Everton at the same venue in this fixture last season, and the new Spurs Under 21 side will be hoping to repeat that this Friday. It was quite an even and end to end game against Leicester City, on Monday, and I think that a draw was the fair result. Everton finished in 11th place in the Premier League 2 Division One last season. Always a difficult side to face in the Premier League 2, Everton play good football and with players like Thomas Cannon and Charlie Whitaker, the Spurs defence will have to be alert to keep a clean-sheet against Everton. This will be another interesting game, and I would like to wish the Spurs side all the very best of luck for the match. 

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Keeley, Ashcroft, Muir, Fagan-Walcott, Cesay, Bowden (c), Craig, Mundle, John, Devine, Donley.

Subs from: Maguire, Sayers, Mathurin, Robson, Santiago.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 0-1.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Thomas Cannon (19). The Everton forward did well last season for the Everton Under 23 side, and in the Everton Under 21’s first game of this season he scored a goal and provided an assist in a 2-0 win against Blackburn Rovers. 

Spurs’ newly named Under 21 side start their Premier League 2 season on Monday evening (the game starts at 19:00pm), when they face Leicester City at their new training ground. Spurs won 4-1 (away) and 3-1 (at home) against Leicester City last season, in the Premier League 2. Wayne Burnett’s Spurs side competed in the annual Tournoi Européen pre-season tournament in France, recently. They finished in seventh place in that tournament. The pre-season friendly matches will definitely have been very important for the Spurs Under 21 side, ahead of their first fixture of the new season. Leicester City are always a difficult side to play against in the Premier League 2, and with forwards like Chris Popov (Wales Under 21 international), Tawanda Maswanhise, Shane Flynn and Portugal Under 20 international Wanya Marçal-Madivadua, the Spurs defence will have to be in good form to keep a clean-sheet this evening. Summer signings Tyrell Ashcroft and Josh Keeley could possibly make their Premier League 2 debuts for Spurs this evening, as could first year professional Roshaun Mathurin. This is a great match to start the season for the Spurs Under 21 side, and I would like to wish the Spurs team all the very best of luck for the match.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Keeley, Cesay, Fagan-Walcott, Muir, Lavinier, Craig, Bowden (c), Mundle, John, Santiago, Devine.

Subs from: Maguire, Paskotši, Mathurin, Robson, Donley.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 3-1.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-2.

My one to watch: Chris Popov (17). The second year scholar and Wales Under 21 international is a player who was in great form for Leicester City’s Under 18 side last season, scoring a lot of goals. He also stepped up to represent the Leicester City Under 23 side, scoring one goal from five Premier League 2 matches. Chris Popov impressed very much in an Under 18 Premier League South fixture against Spurs last season, with his very good pace and skill on the ball. He was also very clinical in front of goal in that Premier League South fixture, last season.

Spurs’ Under 21 side will travel to Brittany, in France, this week to compete in the annual Tournoi Européen. The prestigious annual pre-season tournament which Spurs won in 2017, is a great and very competitive pre-season tournament. Unfortunately this pre-season I am unable to attend the tournament, despite my best efforts, as it is just too difficult to get there, this time. I have attended the previous two editions of the tournament that Spurs have been involved in, and it’s a really enjoyable tournament, which is just so competitive. Spurs did well in the last tournament that they entered a team into, but in this tournament you have to win your respective group (there are two groups of four teams) to get to the final. In Spurs’ group this time (Spurs are in group A) are AS Saint-Étienne, Paris FC and AS Monaco. In the other group are OGC Nice, Standard de Liège, Stade Rennais and En Avant Guingamp. The only other side that isn’t based in France that is competing in the 2022 edition of the pre-season tournament, is Belgian side Standard de Liège. In Spurs’ group are AS Monaco, who really impressed me in the 2018 edition of the tournament, and I’m sure that they will be a very difficult team to play against, in this edition of the tournament.

The tournament starts on Friday, but I haven’t been able to find a list of fixtures or a schedule for this edition of the tournament. Spurs usually include close to 20 players who travel as part of the squad, to European tournaments, at Academy level. It will be interesting to see who is part of the squad for this particular tournament. It will also be interesting to see whether or not Alfie Devine travels with the squad to France, as he hasn’t played for the Spurs first team this pre-season, as he would likely have returned late to pre-season, after being with the England Under 19 side at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship. Devine hasn’t been to a European tournament with any of the Spurs Academy sides, since joining the club in the summer of 2020. This will be a very interesting tournament involving eight very good under 21 sides. I will try my very best to keep people updated with how Spurs get on at the tournament. I would like to wish the Spurs Under 21 squad all the very best of luck for the 2022 edition of the Tournoi Européen.

Spurs’ group: 

AS Saint-Étienne

Paris FC

Spurs 

AS Monaco

My predicted Spurs Under 21 squad: Keeley, Gunter, Dorrington, Sayers, Muir, Paskotši, Fagan-Walcott, Cesay, Lavinier, Bowden, Lyons-Foster, John, Robson, Devine, Mundle, Santiago Mathurin, Donley. 

Spurs’ Under 21 side will play their final friendly game of pre-season this Saturday (the game starts at 18:30pm at Billericay’s New Lodge ground), when they face Isthmian League Premier Division side Billericay Town, before then going to France to compete in the annual Tournoi Européen, next week. Wayne Burnett’s Spurs side won 2-0 against National League side Bromley, on Wednesday, in what was a good performance from the Spurs Under 21 side, as they won their second friendly match of pre-season. This will be a good pre-season game for Spurs, tomorrow, and they will be hoping to get another win, before going to France to compete in the Tournoi Européen. Former Spurs Academy player Tariq Hinds, was playing for Billericay last season, but I don’t believe that he is currently playing for them. While Spurs Academy player Charlie Sayers used to play for Billericay Town, at youth level. This will be an interesting game, and I look forward to attending it. I would like to wish Spurs all the very best of luck for the match.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Maguire, Paskotši, Muir, Dorrington, Lavinier, Lyons-Foster, Bowden (c), Mundle, Robson, Mathurin, Donley. 

Substitutes from: Keeley, Ashcroft, Cesay, Sayers, John, Santiago, Mukendi, Etete.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: N/A.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-1.

My one to watch: John Ufuah. The 23 year old Billericay winger has great pace and is very skilful with the ball. He will be a player that the Spurs defence will have to watch on Saturday.

Spurs’ Under 21 side will play their fourth friendly match of pre-season on Wednesday evening (the game starts at 19:00pm), when they face National League side Bromley, at Hayes Lane. Bromley finished last season in tenth place in the National League, and they will be another difficult team to play against, this pre-season for Spurs’ Under 21 side. Wayne Burnett’s side started this pre-season by impressively winning 1-0 against League 2 side Colchester United, at Hotspur Way, in a behind-closed-doors friendly. They then lost 3-2 to Isthmian Premier Division side Enfield Town, before losing 3-1 to League Two side Leyton Orient on Saturday, in the annual JE3 Foundation Trophy fixture. This will be another good game for Spurs, as they get ready for the new Premier League 2 season. I will of course be in attendance at the match tomorrow, and it will be interesting to see whether there are many changes to the starting line-up, from the Leyton Orient game. I would like to wish Spurs all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Gunter, Ashcroft, Muir, Paskotši, Lavinier, Lyons-Foster, Bowden (c), Mundle, Robson, Mathurin, Etete.

Substitutes from: Hayton, Rose, Cesay, Dorrington, Craig, Santiago, John, Donley. 

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: N/A.

My score prediction: 1-1.

My one to watch: Michael Cheek. The 30 year old Bromley forward scored 17 goals from 42 National League appearances for Bromley, last season. The experienced player will definitely be one to watch, if he plays against Spurs on Wednesday.