Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur -3
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Bet 365
Newport County will play at Wembley on Wednesday night as they attempt to knock Tottenham Hotspur out of the FA Cup fourth round. We make our prediction on the replay after the shock 1-1 draw two weeks ago.
Tottenham Hotspur
It took a late Harry Kane equaliser to prevent an embarrassing exit for Tottenham Hotspur against League Two side Newport County. However, manager Mauricio Pochettino is still likely to make changes with his team set to face Arsenal on Saturday. In the league, Spurs have struggled to find any real consistency of late, with a win against Manchester United sandwiched between two draws with Southampton and Liverpool. Nonetheless, they are still unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions and Pochettino will know his side have a good chance of going far in the FA Cup, especially with the early elimination of Arsenal and Liverpool. It’s been more than a decade since Spurs last won a trophy, and even though they are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, this competition remains their best opportunity of ending the drought. Whatever team takes to the Wembley turf, they’ll be strong favourites to overcome their opposition by a large margin.
Team News
Tottenham are expected to make changes with Toby Alderweirald and Danny Rose in contention to make a return after long-term injuries.
New signing Lucas Moura is ineligible as he was not registered for the initial tie.
Newport County
It is now four games without a win in all competitions for Newport County and they have slipped down to 11th in League Two after their 2-0 loss to Colchester on Saturday. This current bad run of form suggests that a cup shock may be out of the question but at least a big cash windfall is guaranteed no matter what. Michael Flynn’s team have only won five of their last 16 competitive away games and playing at Wembley is a completely different ball game to what they’re used to. Nonetheless, the Exiles will be able to take heart from the fact they were nine minutes away from dumping out Spurs only two weeks ago after Padraig Amond’s header had put them in front. The FA Cup has produced huge upsets in the past, but all 11 of Flynn’s men will have to be at their very best if they are to snatch anything from the game on Wednesday night.
Team News
Sean Rigg won’t play at Wembley after he left the club by mutual consent.
Key Factors to Consider
- Newport will return to Wembley for the first time since 2013 when they beat Wrexham 2-0 in the Conference play-off final
- Tottenham have won all seven FA Cup matches at home when facing teams from the English fourth tier – scoring an average of 5.4 goals per game
- The Exiles have won just one of their seven FA Cup away games against top flight opposition (D1 L5)
- Spurs are unbeaten in 11 matches at Wembley – scoring 30 goals in conceding six
- Tottenham have kept clean sheets in each of their last three home games in all competitions
Conclusion
No matter how many changes Tottenham make to their team on Wednesday, they should have too much quality for Newport. The initial match may have ended a draw but Spurs have been ruthless at Wembley of late and the Exiles will need to ensure they don’t become overawed by the occasion.
Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur -3
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Bet 365
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