Tottenham Hotspur kick off the semi-finals of 2020-21 Carabao Cup as they welcome Brentford to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a blockbuster London derby.
Spurs are looking to reach their third Final since last winning this competition in 2007-08 season whilst Brentford seek to reach their first-ever Cup Final, with the winners set to face either Manchester United or Manchester City in the Final on 25 April at Wembley.
Team News
Matt Doherty is suspended for Tottenham after being red carded during Saturday’s Premier League win over Leeds United.
Steven Bergwijn (adductor) is a doubt and could join Erik Lamela (unspecified), Gareth Bale (calf) plus Giovani Lo Celso (thigh) on sidelines.
Brentford have no fresh injury concerns to report after Saturday’s Championship game against Bristol City was postponed, as Shandon Baptiste remains absent with a knee injury.
Stat Attack
- Tottenham are unbeaten in six previous League Cup meetings against Brentford (W5, D1), although this is the first single-legged encounter in this competition between these teams.
- Brentford have scored in two of their three previous away League Cup trips with exception of a 2-0 defeat in September 2000 (L3).
- Spurs have lost just one of 20 previous home games to Brentford in all competitions (W13, D6, L1).
- Four of Brentford’s nine goals in this competition this season have come before half-time.
- Tottenham have avoided defeat in all nine previous home League Cup meetings against then Championship opposition (W9).
Prediction
Spurs certainly are in for a tough test if they play like they did against Leeds in terms of failing to produce real man-marking outside the box in the first-half, because if Brentford can sprint forward freely then the hosts could be in trouble if not defensively switched on.
Brentford also come into this match in fearsome form with no defeats in their last 16 matches across all competitions, plus defeated four top flight teams to reach this stage of this competition underlining how dangerous they can be if underestimated.
Either way, I can see goals here from both teams given Tottenham’s home record against Championship opposition this century in this competition, although Brentford look the more dangerous with goal scorers across the pitch and if they continue to show their quality then a cupset could be on cards here.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Brentford
Result: Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
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