Tottenham Hotspur are aiming to avoid an all-timer of an FA Cup upset when they face National League opposition in Tamworth on Sunday afternoon.
Spurs make the trip up to Staffordshire this weekend having enjoyed a 1-0 triumph over Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday. – a performance and result Ange Postecoglou desperately needed with the North London Derby looming.
16th in the fifth tier following back-to-back promotions, Tamworth’s rise has been meteoric under manager Andy Peaks. This is their first FA Cup third round tie since 2012, and they’ve been forced to work incredibly hard for Sunday’s fixture having downed Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion in rounds one and two respectively.
Here is 90min’s guide to Sunday’s FA Cup tie from the Lamb Ground.
Tamworth vs Tottenham H2H Record
This is the first competitive meeting between Tamworth and Tottenham.
Current form (all competitions)
|
Tamworth |
Tottenham |
|---|---|
|
Sutton Utd 1-0 Tamworth – 07/01/25 |
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool – 08/01/25 |
|
Solihull Moors 2-0 Tamworth – 31/12/24 |
Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle – 04/01/25 |
|
Tamworth 1-1 Forest Green – 26/12/24 |
Tottenham 2-2 Wolves – 29/12/24 |
|
Sutton Utd 1-2 Tamworth – 21/12/24 |
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham – 26/12/24 |
|
Rochdale 3-0 Tamworth – 17/12/24 |
Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool – 22/12/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
ITVX, STV Player, ITV 1 UK, STV Scotland, UTV |
|
United States |
ESPN+, ESPN App |
|
Canada |
Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Tommy Tonks and his long throws are Tamworth’s no-so-secret weapon, with the experienced 33-year-old set to line up in the hosts’ midfield on Sunday.
Tamworth are without forward Ben Acquaye due to an ACL rupture, while Callum Cockerill-Mollett is a new addition to the treatment table.
Centre-back Jordan Cullinane-Liburd has played an important role in Tamworth’s FA Cup journey thus far and he’s eligible to return to the squad on Sunday having completed his three-match suspension last week.
Tamworth predicted lineup vs Tottenham (4-4-1-1): Singh; Crompton, Libard, Hollis, Fairlamb; McGlinchey, Milns, Tonks, Williams; Morrison; Creaney.
Postecoglou will be fearful of playing his big guns on an artificial surface given Spurs’ current injury list, but the Australian’s hand will be somewhat forced in terms of team selection.
Eight first teamers are currently sidelined through injury, while Fraser Forster is struggling with an illness. There could be another start for new goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after his impressive debut in midweek, while Pape Sarr and James Maddison are both back in contention having served suspensions against Liverpool.
Rodrigo Bentancur is the latest Tottenham casualty – he’ll be sidelined for a couple of weeks under concussion protocols.
Mikey Moore and South Korean Yang Min-hyeok could occupy the flanks for the visitors with Will Lankshear leading the line. Sergio Reguilon should also be considered at left-back.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Tamworth (4-3-3): Kinsky; Spence, Dragusin, Dorrington, Reguilon; Bissouma, Maddison, Sarr; Yang, Lankshear, Moore.
A naturally pessimistic fanbase doubtlessly has a few nerves heading into this fixture given the sloping artificial pitch and Tonks’ long throws.
While this is set up for a ‘Spursy’ afternoon just days after they downed the best team in the country, Postecoglou’s men surely won’t succumb here.
Overcoming EFL opposition is one thing, but even an inexperienced Tottenham team is a different kettle of fish for Tamworth. It’ll be a great occasion for the hosts, but Spurs should win at a canter.