Tottenham seek FA Cup redemption in Middlesbrough replay

After a draw at Riverside eight days ago, Tottenham and Middlesbrough meet with a chance to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

A goal from Lucas Moura cancelled out an Ashley Fletcher opener on Teesside to force the replay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Jonathan Woodgate, the player to score a cup-winning goal for Tottenham, has his Middlesbrough team climbing up the Championship table after a difficult start to the season.

The former England international, who recently won the Championship Manager of the Month award for December, will be hoping to overcome one of his former sides to continue the positivity currently surrounding Boro.

The statistics don’t bode well for the visitors however.

Tottenham have won their last six home games by an aggregate scoreline of 23-4 and are unbeaten in their last nine home outings against Boro.

Spurs are also unbeaten in their last 40 home FA Cup fixtures against lower league opposition, a record Jose Mourinho will be keen to extend in a competition he values highly.

The winner of the tie will travel to the south coast to face Southampton on 25th of January.

Team news

It is expected that Jose Mourinho may once again opt to start Japhet Tanganga, who made his debut against Liverpool, along with contract rebel Christian Eriksen despite the speculation surrounding his future at the club.

Tanguy Ndombele (hip), Ben Davies (ankle) and Hugo Lloris (elbow) continue their rehabilitation whilst Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko remain out with long-term injuries.

Britt Assombalonga will not travel with the squad as he continues to recover from an ankle injury whilst Darren Randolph may still travel despite being on the verge of a move to one of Tottenham’s London rivals West Ham.

Jose Mourinho was quick to dismiss any suggestions that tomorrow’s fixture will be an easy one for his team:

“The priority this month is to win tomorrow. Difficult match, Championship teams we know what they can do. We know what Fulham did to Villa, what Leeds almost did to Arsenal, what Middlesbrough did to us.”

Former Tottenham player Jonathan Woodgate spoke about what progression would represent from him and his team:

It’s a step up in class when you play Tottenham. Hopefully the players take it in their stride and don’t play the occasion.”

It would be fantastic [to beat Tottenham], it brings you momentum. This club has been renowned for going on cup runs.”

Head-to-head

PLAYED – 94

TOTTENHAM WINS – 35

DRAWS – 25

MIDDLESBROUGH WINS – 34

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