- Tottenham Hotspur U21 beat Middlesbrough U21 6-1 at home in last season’s Premier League 2.
- Spurs have won two of their last three home games, including a 4-0 thumping of Birmingham Academy.
- Boro have won just one of their seven PL2 away fixtures, averaging 1.14 goals per game scored and 1.43 goals per game conceded.
Spurs’ free-flowing attacking style faces Boro’s pragmatic plan
Friday’s Premier League 2 clash between Tottenham Hotspur U21 and Middlesbrough U21 should provide a classic head-to-head between a high-pressing, front-foot side against a deep, disciplined, counter-attacking team. Both sides offer different playing styles that their respective coaches have honed to near perfection since Wayne Burnett took charge of Spurs in July 2022 and Mark Tinkler of Boro in December 2021.
Spurs, who have 26 points from 15 PL2 matches, are favourites to win at odds of 23/25 against Boro’s 2/1. The odds-on favourites have a good chance of winning this and a lot of their recent games as they are very proactive in their approach, pressing opponents relentlessly and playing high-tempo football on the attack.
Boro, on the other hand, set up to play in a compact block and are much more patient, waiting to spring counters or hit on set-pieces. Their recent results have been mixed with one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five games, but the last two defeats included a 1-4 home loss to Birmingham Academy.
Tottenham Hotspur U21 can take control of the game
Spurs can be trusted to do their thing on Friday and are the most likely side to control possession and chances. They are a free-flowing side in which Rio Kyerematen, who has scored four of their 12 goals in the last five matches, looks the most dangerous forward.
Tottenham Hotspur U21 are ninth in the table with 26 points from 15 matches - a typical mid-table standing for the club. Boro are languishing near the bottom in 18th with 18 points from 16 games and the odds are not wrong in favouring the hosts here.
Backing ‘over 2.5 goals’ looks a must, however, as both teams are prone to high-scoring games when the opposition are familiar and the stakes are high. Middlesbrough U21 have failed to win in their last two away games, picking up just one draw.
