Spurs’ under 18 side return to FA Youth Cup action on Wednesday evening when they take on AFC Wimbledon in the fourth round of this seasons competition, at Plough Lane (the game is being shown live on AFC Wimbledon’s YouTube channel). Matt Taylor’s team beat Chelsea 6-1 in their last competitive game and that was back on the sixth of March. Wimbledon overcame category one Academy side Burnley in the third round of this seasons FA Youth Cup, while Spurs beat Newport County 6-2 in the third round despite going two goals behind. While I can’t say I know very much about Wimbledon’s under 18 side because of the fact that they play in a different league to us, the fact that they managed to beat a category one Academy side in the last round of the competition does most certainly mean that Spurs cannot underestimate their opponents. Obviously there won’t be any fans inside Plough Lane on Wednesday evening, but playing at a stadium will be a great experience for both sets of players. Spurs will be without centre-half Maksim Paskotši on Wednesday as he is away with the Estonian senior national team, and they are playing Sweden in an international friendly on the same day. I would like to wish the Spurs team all the very best of luck in this most prestigious of English youth competitions for Wednesday’s game, and I’m sure that it will be a very competitive game of football. 

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

Subs from: Hayton, Cesay, Kyezu, Cassanova, Davies, Robson, Whittaker.

Injured/unavailable: Maksim Paskotši (on international duty with Estonia).

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: N/A.

My score prediction: Spurs 4-1.

My one to watch: Wimbledon’s Paris Lock, who came off the bench to score the winner for Wimbledon in their round tie against Burnley.

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.

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.

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.

Our under 18 side start 2021 by playing their first FA Youth Cup game of the season. A third round cup tie against Welsh side Newport County takes place on Tuesday at 1pm at Hotspur Way (behind closed doors), in England’s most prestigious youth cup competition. Last season Spurs were knocked out by a very talented Wigan Athletic side in the fourth round, a side which included Alfie Devine. However, this year Matt Taylor’s side who sit in second place in the Under 18 Premier League South, will be looking to do better as they look to build on finishing 2020 in such good form in the league. Newport County’s under 18 side play their league football in the EFL Youth Alliance south-west division, and they haven’t played a competitive game of league football since the fifth of December, 2020, when they beat Swindon Town by three goals to nil. Newport had to beat non-League side Brockenhurst FC (they won 3-2) to reach the third round of the FA Youth Cup, and this is the second season in a row that they have reached the third round of the competition (they lost 3-1 away to Blackburn Rovers at this stage last season). Newport do have a number of players who have joined them from category two academy sides, such as Harrison Bright (formerly of Cardiff City), Jack Karadogan (formerly of Swansea City) and Charlie Bullock (formerly of Bristol City). There is no doubting that this will be a tough game, despite the difference in leagues that the two sides play in. Newport will be really up for this, just like Matt Taylor’s Spurs side will be, but in a one off cup game anything can happen.

Usually these games are the first competitive ones that many of these under 18 players get to play in front of fans at a stadium, but due to the current situation this year will be very different, though it will still be a fantastic opportunity and experience for the Spurs under 18 side. Talented first year scholar Alfie Devine made headlines on Sunday when he became our first teams youngest ever scorer and player in a competitive game, by scoring against Marine in the third round of the FA Cup, as he played 45 minutes. Spurs will no doubt put out a very strong side against Newport County, but with our under 23 side playing Brighton later in the week, Devine could well be being saved for that game. However, I would imagine that top scorer Dane Scarlett will most likely play on Tuesday afternoon. This is a very big game for Spurs, and I would like to wish them all the very best of luck for the match. Here’s hoping that this talented side can become the first Spurs under 18 side to win the competition since 1990.

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

Subs from: Hayton, Maguire, Kyezu, Torraj, Carrington, Mathurin, Whittaker.

Injured/unavailable: Paskotši (suspended).

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: N/A.

My score prediction: Spurs 5-0.

My one to watch: Newport player and second year scholar Zack Maher. A midfielder by trade, Maher scored an important goal against Brockenhurst in the last round to help book Newport’s place in the third round of the cup.

Matt Taylor’s Spurs under 18 side take on a team (the game starts at 11:30am on Saturday at Hotspur Way) who they haven’t faced for a number of years at this level, in West Brom, a side who they last played back in the 2015/16 season. West Brom had been playing in the Under 18 Premier League North until the start of this season when they joined the southern division, and the club from the English Midlands have so far picked eight points from nine league games this season. Peter Gilbert’s side have only won one of their three league away games this season, something which will come as an encouragement to Spurs who have won three and drawn two of their opening five home league games this season. The last meeting between these sides saw a lot of goals, as Spurs eventually won four-three on the day. Unbeaten in five league games at this level, third place Spurs are only one point away from league leaders Fulham, albeit Spurs have played a game more than the west London club. Matt Taylor’s side recorded a really impressive five-one win over Crystal Palace in their last league game, while West Brom beat Southampton three-one. The inform Dane Scarlett scored another hat-trick in that game against Crystal Palace, but after making his competitive debut for our under 23’s last Monday against Chelsea (Dane scored in that game), I do wonder whether he will travel up to Liverpool with the under 23 squad for their away game against Liverpool, which is also on Saturday. If that is the case then it could mean that under 16’s player Jamie Donley could step up once again to play for our under 18 side (he scored in the last game that he played for them), or possibly versatile forward Tarrelle Whittaker could play as the lone striker.

I can’t really comment on what kind of team West Brom’s under 18 side are e.g. their style of play, etc. This is because I haven’t seen their current group of players play however, every game in this division is a challenging and demanding one. Saturday mornings game will be played behind closed doors unfortunately, but I will be providing live score updates of the game on my Twitter account. As I previously mentioned, 16 year old forward Dane Scarlett made his competitive under 23 debut on Monday against Chelsea, but so did under 18 regular Romaine Mundle (he has been directly involved in five of our under 18’s goals so far this season) as he came on as a substitute late on in the game, which was great to see. I would finally like to wish the Spurs under 18 side all the very best of luck for Saturday’s game, which is the final competitive one that they will play in 2020.

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

Subs from: Hayton, Kyezu, Michael Craig, Carrington, Mathurin. 

Injured/unavailable: Alfie Devine (suspended).

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs four-three West Brom.

My score prediction: Spurs 4-2.

My one to watch: 18 year old forward Jovan Malcolm, who has scored five goals from eight league appearances for West Brom’s under 18 side this season. Malcolm has also made two Premier League 2 appearances for West Brom’s under 23 side this season.

Newly promoted to Category one academy status, south London club Crystal Palace have started their first season in the Under 18 Premier League South really well. Currently occupying fourth place in the league table, Crystal Palace have picked up 18 points from just eight league games so far this season, and they are on the same points tally as us going in to Saturday mornings (the game starts at 11am) game at their training ground in Beckenham. I cannot say much about how Crystal Palace play at this level as I haven’t seen them play at this level, though both their under 18 and 23 teams have started the season really well. Last Saturday Spurs were denied their third league victory in a row because of a very late Leicester equaliser in that game at Hotspur Way. Schoolboy Jamie Donley made his competitive debut for Spurs’ under 18’s in that game as he played up front, and he also scored our only goal of the game. As our under 18’s top scorer this season Dane Scarlett travelled to Austria with out first team recently, and I do wonder whether or not Donley will get another start tomorrow. Although I will be unable to attend tomorrow’s game due to the current situation, I will be tweeting live score updates on my Twitter account. I wish the team all the very best of luck for the match, and will stay second in the league if we win against Crystal Palace.

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

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

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: N/A.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Crystal Palace’s 18 year old forward David Omilabu who has scored eight league goals from eight appearances so far this season.

After emphatically beating Southampton by seven goals to nil last Saturday, Matt Taylor’s Spurs under 18 side will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they host winless Leicester City at Hotspur Way tomorrow morning (the game starts at 11:30am). The club from the Midlands who sit at the bottom of the Under 18 Premier League South, haven’t registered a point this campaign, and they have conceded 36 league goals from their opening eight matches. However, Leicester have in recent years been difficult to beat, and with potent attacking players such as Kian Pennant and Terrell Pennant eligible to play tomorrow, Spurs will know that they will have to once again be very alert. Last season we beat Leicester four-three at their Belvoir Drive training ground and they were resilient that day however, tomorrow’s game will likely be a different kind of contest. Inform under 18’s striker Dane Scarlett became the youngest ever Spurs player to feature for them in a competitive game, when he came off the bench in our four-nil win over Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad on Thursday, so it will be interesting to see whether or not he goes into the under 23 side for their game against Leicester, or whether he remains with the under 18’s. I would like to wish Matt Taylor’s side all the very best of luck for tomorrow’s game, a win could lift 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, Devine, Mundle, Robson, Santiago, Whittaker.

Subs from: Solberg, Cesay, Michael Craig, John, Mathurin.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 4-3.

My score prediction: Spurs 5-1.

My one to watch: Leicester forward Kian Pennant (16) who has scored three league goals from eight games so far this season.