Boro Out to Cause More FA Cup Chaos

Middlesbrough FC vs Tottenham Hotspur

Until returning in November, the 2018 FA Cup Final had been the last match Antonio Conte managed on English shores.

On that occasion, the Italian oversaw a 1-0 Chelsea triumph over Manchester United and promptly parted company with the club about six weeks later.

With an impressive reputation, Spurs quickly made him their number one target when the short-lived reign of Nuno Espirito Santo came to an end and they have been largely delighted by his input since his appointment; until recently unbeaten domestically and guiding his new employers to some impressive results.

So it was with some surprise that he made public some self-doubts this week, just days after winning at the home of champions Manchester City.

Perhaps Conte was outwardly expressing his immediate frustration after his team went down to basement battlers Burnley but, either way, it was a surprise to this observer that he questioned whether he is the right manager to turn Tottenham’s fortunes around.

Yes, Burnley had just inflicted a fourth Spurs defeat in five games, with the Italian admitting he is “too honest to close my eyes and continue in this way”.

Yet he has won 11 of his 21 games in charge since his appointment and the improvement has been noticeable.

In fact, down by the Riverside on Tuesday night and Spurs will be in the quarter-finals of the world’s most famous domestic cup competition.

Talking Points

Standing in their way are Championship promotion chasing Middlesbrough, fresh from seeing off the might of Manchester United in the previous round on penalties.

They unquestionably rode their luck at Old Trafford with a controversial equaliser, as well as being spared by a normal time United penalty miss and the woodwork.

But survive for 120 minutes they did and they then went onto claim FA Cup highlights summed up best by Boro boss Chris Wilder who, in the aftermath of his side’s famous win, claimed “The FA Cup is alive and kicking.”

So, can they cause another cup shock?

Well Spurs will prove tough and determined opponents and the top flight side should win the tie, as long as they are not as casual as the Red Devils.

In the fourth round, Harry Kane scored twice as Brighton were despatched and then praised the way Conte has changed Tottenham’s mindset.

After topsy-turvy league results in recent weeks, the mindset will need to be positive in this potential banana skin of a tie.

If not, cup chaos could cause Conte to crumble.

History

Boro have actually a very good record against Spurs, winning 35 times, just one fewer than the number of overall victories Spurs have accumulated.

There have also been 24 draws.

Their very first meeting actually came in the FA Cup in a first round tie in 1905 which ended one-apiece with Henry Astley and Alexander Glen the respective scorers at Ayresome Park.

Spurs won the replay 1-0 at White Hart Lane via a Charles O’Hagan goal.

Their last meeting also came in the FA Cup two seasons ago at the third round stage.

Then the sides drew 1-1 at the Riverside Stadium before Spurs won the replay 2-1, thanks to two goals inside the first 16 minutes from Giovanni Lo Celso and Erik Lamela.

Their last top flight meetings came in 2016/17 when Spurs sealed a league double over Boro, the same season the Teesiders were relegated.

A first half brace from Son Heung-Min did the damage before Ben Gibson pulled one back.

The return game in north London was settled by a solitary Kane penalty.

Boro last defeated Spurs in 2008 on the opening day of the 2008/09 campaign when David Wheater and Mido were the marksman in a 2-1 triumph at the Riverside.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP FA Cup betting odds back Spurs as they go in search of cup glory.

Conte’s side are available to tip 1X2 @ 1.66 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.21, while Boro are on offer 1X2 @ 4.40 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.02.

A draw will pay out @ 3.70.

A contest with goals has an array of options including over 2.75 goals @ 2.03, total goal 0-1 @ 3.55, 2-3 @ 1.87 and 4-6 @ 3.15.

Double Chance Middlesbrough or Draw is offered @ 2.06

A repeat of their last meeting – a 1-0 Spurs success – is priced @ 6.60 with Correct Score, while a first Boro win in more than 13 years, again by a 2-1 scoreline, may tempt some @ 17.00.

I do think this will be close but expect the visitors to prevail from start to finish.

 

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