Prediction: Tranmere vs Tottenham

Prediction: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 2/9

Bookmaker: bet365

Ah, the FA Cup. While the majority of football fans tend to feel a little bit negative towards the competition these days, we still love it. Sure, it isn’t what it once was, but the same can be said of many things in modern day football. We’ll go out on a limb and suggest that third round weekend is one of the best weekends in the English football calendar, and games like this serve as proof of that. Tranmere Rovers, the underdogs, will be attempting to overcome the mammoth challenge of Premier League high-flyers Tottenham Hotspur.

Tranmere

Tranmere have had their fair share of memorable cup moments over the years, and they’ll be quietly confident that they can do the same again here. They’re a physical side who will be more than happy to get in the face of Spurs, especially at home. They’re doing really well in League Two right now, as well, which will only boost their confidence even further. Even scoring will still be a big challenge for them, though, and it’ll be interesting to see whether or not they decide to attack from the word go.

Team News

Tranmere are expected to play a three-man defence with Evan Gumbs being ruled out, although Oliver Banks will be hoping to return from injury.

Tottenham

All signs point towards a Spurs win – but that isn’t how this game works. Mauricio Pochettino will be well aware of the fact that cup upsets are pretty common over here, as will many of his players. They’ve done a great job of forcing their way into the Premier League title picture, but that’ll mean nothing here. Many of their youngsters will be expected to step up to the plate and prove why they belong at the club, and we’re interested to see how they fare.

Team News

Paulo Gazzaniga, Juan Foyth, Kyle Walker-Peters, Oliver Skipp, Lucas Moura and Fernando Llorente are all tipped to start as Pochettino aims to rotate his squad for this one.

Factors to Consider

• The game will be played at Tranmere’s Prenton Park.
• Tranmere have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six games.
• Tottenham have won five and lost one of their last six games.
• Tottenham are unbeaten at 6-0 against Tranmere with two draws.
• In their last meeting back in February 2002, Spurs won 4-0.

Conclusion

Tranmere are going to put up a fight and we honestly believe that. We’re expecting them to park the bus throughout the course of the first 45 minutes, attempting to hit Spurs on the counter as and when they can. They’ll attempt to bully Pochettino’s side off the ball and rightly so, because that kind of Football League style is going to be their best way to make up for the gulf in quality. In the end, though, we think Spurs will pull away late in the game, securing their passage into the next round of the FA Cup.

Prediction: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 2/9

Bookmaker: bet365