Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City (FA Cup)
Tottenham plays host to a Norwich City side struggling to stay afloat in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. It promises to be an intriguing FA Cup tie between two sides who have already played a couple of highly competitive matches this season. Tottenham have taken four points out of a possible six, but it can be said that the Canaries were the better team overall.
Both these sides will meet once again for a place in the last eight of the FA Cup. Tottenham are at a crossroads at the moment with their next few fixtures making or breaking their season.
Mourinho’s charges have three on a spin and will look to get back to winning ways. They twice squandered the lead against Wolves and failed to take their chances to end up losing 3-2.
The victory casts doubts on their Champions League aspirations for next season and is in real threat of missing out. A victor here will stem the tide and also improve morale both among players and the manager. The FA Cup represents Spurs’ best chance of winning a trophy and Mourinho should all he can to break that duck.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
A number of Tottenham Hotspur’s stars are sidelined with injury fo the game. Hugo Lloris joins Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko on the sidelines. Ryan Sessegnon and Juan Foyth are major doubts for the game while Erik Lamela also remains a doubt.
With Spurs season’ threatening to unravel, Mourinho is likely to play a strong team as he has done so far in the competition.
Norwich City
Onel Hernandez, Sam Byram, and Timm Klose are still sidelined for the Canaries and will not be available. Center-back Christoph Zimmermann -is also a doubt having missed the match against Leicester City.
Predicted XI
Tottenham Hotspur
Paulo Gazzaniga, Serge Aurier, Davinson Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies, Gedson Fernandes, Giovani Lo Celso, Dele Alli, Lucas Moura, Steven Bergwijn
Norwich City
Tim Krul Max Aarons, Grant Hanley, Ben Godfrey, Jamal Lewis Alexander Tettey, Tom Trybull, Emi Buendia, Stiepermann, Todd Cantwell, Teemo Pukki
Players to watch
Dele Alli
The 23-year-old put on a better performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend. He showed heart and desire and should have scored to make it 3-1 before Diogo Jota equalized at the other end.
The midfielder has been off form for a while now and Spurs will need him to step up here. He finally got himself an assist after 12 games and is hopefully is something he can build from. His pressure can also help relieve the responsibility on Moura and Bergwijn who are at times too isolated up front.
Alli started off well under Mourinho but has now faded away. A player of immaculate skill, he has often been in the news for his off-field antics than the ones on it. It is time he once again reminded everyone why he was so sought after at Milton Keynes Dons.
Max Aarons
The youngster has enjoyed an impressive campaign n his first season in the top flight. Produced a memorable performance against Liverpool only for Sadio Mane to outclass him with a moment of magic.
The 20-year-old has been constantly linked with Tottenham and he now has a chance to audition at the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur stadium. He is likely to come up against Steven Bergwijn and Erik Lamela if the player makes it for the match.
More Tottenham Hotspur News
- Manchester United have set a £17m asking price for Chris Smalling
- Jose Mourinho heaps praise on Harry Winks and lauds him for improving
- Tottenham take precautions to screen training ground visitors amidst coronavirus scare
The Spurs duo have looked the most dangerous in Mourinho’s attack so far and it is likely that Tottenham’s best chances will come through them. Aarons has shown maturity and has improved as the season goes on, he is a more measured player when compared to Aurier. The youngster also knows how to use his pace which should lead to an intriguing contest on the Canaries right flank.
