2021-22 FA Cup: Fifth Round – Middlesbrough vs Tottenham

Middlesbrough welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Riverside Stadium in a huge Fifth Round tie of 2021-22 FA Cup. 

Victory would see Boro reach the Quarter-Finals for the first time since 2016-17 season, whereas Spurs are looking to avoid another exit at this stage in three consecutive seasons.

 

Team News

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Matt Crooks is set to return for Middlesbrough after completing a two-match ban.

Martin Payero (ankle), Sammy Ameobi, Darnell Fisher and Marc Bola (all knee) remain absent.

Tottenham manager – Antonio Conte could rotate his squad with Lucas Moura again ruled out after he failed to shake off a knock, which forced the Brazilian to miss Saturday’s league win at Leeds.

Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle), Japhet Tanganga (knee) and Oliver Skipp (groin) remain ruled out.

 

Stat Attack

• Middlesbrough are winless in six clashes against Tottenham across four previous FA Cup ties (D2, L4).
• Tottenham have drawn 1-1 in each of their two previous FA Cup away ties against Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park in February 1905 and at Riverside Stadium in January 2020.
• No FA Cup tie between Middlesbrough and Tottenham has previously been played in the month of March, with four previous clashes played in January and two in February.
• Boro are unbeaten in four of their last five FA Cup ties played at home (W2, D2, L1).
• Tottenham are unbeaten in eight of their last nine away FA Cup ties against lower-league opposition dating back to January 2013 (W4, D4, L1).

 

Prediction

Having suffered a slip in consistency in which they conceded the opening goal in four of their last five matches, Middlesbrough need a huge performance here to give themselves any chance of progressing but can take heart from seven wins in their last seven home games.

Tottenham meanwhile were absolutely clinical at Leeds on the counter-attack on Saturday, particularly with their flanks posing the biggest threats on top of strong physicality in their movement, which definitely should pose Boro some issues.

Boro however have a sell-out home crowd and solid home form in two previous home FA Cup ties against Spurs to give them belief, especially after knocking out Manchester United in the last round so should look to try and make this as difficult as possible.

I however feel like this could be Spurs’ to lose because despite their inconsistent away form in 2022, they should get the job done if play like they did at Manchester City and Leeds but if they turn up with a repeat of what we saw at Burnley then anything could happen.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-2 Tottenham

Result: Middlesbrough 1-0 (AET) Tottenham