Having suffered a bit of a set-back during the week, Tottenham are back in front of a home crowd on Saturday evening as they host Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.
How on earth did Tottenham fail to beat Sunderland? Perhaps it was the long distance travelled and adverse weather conditions or simply an underestimation of their relegation-threatened opponents. Either way, Pochettino’s men failed to really get going in that fixture and need to bounce back here.
It is unlikely that Spurs will allow the same thing to happen for a second game in a row, however, Middlesbrough are no pushovers. Aitor Karanka has made Boro into one of the most pragmatic teams in the Premier League and they currently have the sixth-best defensive record in the division. Although they are near the bottom three, Middlesbrough have conceded more than two goals on just three occasions. Certainly respectable stats from the newly promoted side.
Boro will most likely set up camp on the edge of their own box and hope that the hosts cannot unlock their sturdy back-line. While this might frustrate Tottenham during the early stages, it’s unlikely that they’ll fail to find a way through for the second 90 minutes on the bounce. With a cagey opening anticipated, the goals are fancied to arrive in the second half. After all, eight of the host’s last ten goals have come after half-time.
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