With festive fixtures now over, its time for the most magical weekend of 2019 as the FA Cup Third Round kicks off at Prenton Park, where Tranmere Rovers host Tottenham Hotspur.
Whilst the hosts will be looking to cause a massive cupset, for Tottenham this is a chance to get a cup double bid underway as Mauricio Pochettino continues to be linked with Manchester United.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesTranmere Rovers have midfielder, Olli Banks available after recovering from a hernia injury.
On loan signing – Luke McCullough has been cleared to play for the White Army after receiving permission from parent club, Doncaster Rovers.
Tottenham right-back, Serge Aurier faces a late fitness test after recovering from a recent groin injury.
Fernando Llorente meanwhile is set to start with Harry Kane rested ahead of next week’s Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea, where Erik Lamela could feature after returning to training this week from illness but won’t be risked here.
Mousa Dembele (ankle), Jan Vertonghen (thigh) and Eric Dier (appendix) won’t be risked here or against Chelsea but have all resumed training.
Victor Wanyama (knee) and Vincent Janssen (foot) are both ruled out indefinitely.
Stat Attack
- Tottenham are unbeaten in eight previous meetings with Tranmere in all competitions (W6, D2), winning their last three clashes 4-0 across all competitions.
- From three previous FA Cup meetings, Tottenham lead 10-2 on goal aggregate including that famous 9-1 replay win after initially drawing 1-1 here at this stage in 1953.
- Tottenham have avoided defeat in last five FA Cup clashes with clubs outside of top two tiers at time of meeting – excluding replays (W3, D2).
Prediction
Tranmere will give this a real go but Spurs are a side in fierce form with two domestic defeat in their last 13 outings.
Add in the depth of their squad then I can see another comfortable away win to follow up their midweek thumping of Cardiff City.
Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Result: Tranmere Rovers 0-7 Tottenham Hotspur