Tamworth vs Tottenham Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English FA Cup | Third Round
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The so-called ‘magic of the cup’ is perhaps best distilled in this game during this weekend’s FA Cup third round tie as non-league Tamworth welcome the giants of Tottenham Hotspur.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 12th January, 2025: UK – 12:30pm / US ET – 7:30am / US PT – 4:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / US – ESPN+
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / US – ESPN+
Tamworth Preview: Looking to get in the history books
Tamworth pulled off arguably the shock of the first round all the way back in mid-November as they defeated League One’s Huddersfield Town by a goal to nil at The Lamb Ground, courtesy of their biggest weapon for this competition: Tommy Tonks’ long throw.
The midlanders have slipped in the National League, though, as they drift into the bottom-half of the fifth-tier. The home team come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Sutton United in the FA Trophy in midweek and they have won just one of their last six matches.
Tottenham Preview: Avoiding a ‘Spurs-y’ moment
Ange Postecoglou confidently said at the start of the season that he always wins things in his second season and Tottenham Hotspur have moved closer to the EFL Cup, their first trophy in nearly 14 years, after their victory over Liverpool in midweek.
In the first-leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against the Premier League leaders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs defeated the Reds thanks to a late goal from Lucas Bergvall. The north Londoners are desperate for a trophy and they can taste it now.
Tamworth Team News: No Ben Acquaye
As mentioned, the throw-ins of Tommy Tonks will be crucial for a Tamworth side that will be direct and aggressive as they try to mix it up against Tottenham. They remain without winger Ben Acquaye due to an ACL injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Singh; Crompton, Digie, Hollis, Cockerill-Mollett; Tonks, Milnes; McGlinchey, Morrison, Enoru; Wreh
Unavailable: Acquaye (Injured)
Questionable:
Tottenham Team News: Light in defence
Tottenham would like to rotate and rest players, especially defensively, but due to the amount of injuries they are unlikely to do so. Antonin Klinsky enjoyed a positive debut against Liverpool, whilst both Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison have returned from suspension.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Klinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bergvall, Sarr, Maddison; Johnson, Lankshear, Werner
Unavailable: Vicario (Injured), Romero (Injured), Van de Ven (Injured), Davies (Injured), Udogie (Injured), Bentancur (Concussion), Odobert (Injured), Richarlison (Injured)
Questionable: Forster (Illness)
Tamworth vs Tottenham Prediction
Tamworth have reserved their best for the FA Cup this season and were already the story of the competition after the first round. Many visiting supporters will fear the worst because the thing that Tottenham do to back up a big win, like happened in midweek, is with a defeat in a game they should win comfortably. Tamworth may well frustrate a rotated Spurs side but the sheer quality of the away team, even with probable rotation, means it should be a comfortable win.
Tamworth vs Tottenham Tip: Tottenham to win -1 handicap
