Prediction: Tottenham vs Middlesbrough

Verdict: Tottenham win and under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

With a spot in the fourth round of this year’s FA Cup still up for grabs, Tottenham will welcome Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough to North London on Tuesday night.

Tottenham

Starting with the hosts, while Tottenham may have managed to ask Liverpool some questions in North London over the weekend, Spurs could only slump to a 1-0 defeat and still find themselves in the midst of a rut. Having to come from behind to snatch an FA Cup replay off of Middlebrough on the road, Jose Mourinho’s honeymoon period was cut short and the Lilywhites have failed to win any of their last four matches across all competitions. Even more worrying, Tottenham have recorded just a single victory since the middle of December. Falling down to eigth in England’s top-tier and now a huge outsider to secure another top-four finish, it will undoubtedly be Tottenham’s issues in the final third giving the former Chelsea boss the biggest headache. With attacking talisman and England skipper Harry Kane ruled out until April, Spurs’ strike at the Riverside last week was their only goal in over 300 minutes of action after drawing a blank against both Liverpool and Southampton.

Team News

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has reported no new injury problems.

Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris, Ben Davies, Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele are still sidelined by injuries.

Middlesbrough

As for the visitors, while Middleborough may have been left heartbroken to have seen Derby snatch an injury-time equalizer at the Riverside over the weekend, the Reds are in the midst of their brightest run of the season. Really catching the eye in their 1-1 draw against Spurs last week, Jonathan Woodgate has seen his side skyrocket away from the Championship drop zone after enjoying a six-match unbeaten run. With the mood in their camp the highest it has been in recent memory, fans around the North West will be most impressed by their side’s form on the road. Snatching back-to-back 2-0 wins off of Preston and also handing title contenders West Brom their first defeat of the season, Boro have a growing reputation for their form in the final third. Bagging another pair of strikes on Saturday, the midweek guests have scored at least a pair of strikes in three of their last four matches across all competitions.

Team News

Britt Assombalonga and Daniel Ayala are set to miss out for Middlesbrough because of ankle problems.

Back-up goalkeeper Tomas Mejias may be recalled after impressing in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham, but Anfernee Dijksteel, Ryan Shotton and George Friend remain unavailable.

Key Factors to Consider

• Tottenham have failed to win any of their last four matches across all competitions.
• Spurs have also scored just one goal in their last three appearances.
• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last six matches across all formats.
• The Lilywhites have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their last eight matches.
• Boro have landed back-to-back victories on the road.

Conclusion

While Tottenham might open Tuesday’s contest as a landslide favourite with the bookmakers, Middlesbrough proved last week that they will not be a pushover. Continuing to enjoy their brightest run of the season and unbeaten in their last six contests, Jonathan Woodgate’s men will travel to North London boosted with confidence. Although we do expect the Premier League outfit to come out on top in midweek, we’re backing another low-scoring encounter for a Spurs side struggling in the final third.

Verdict: Tottenham win and under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Bet365