Middlesbrough v Tottenham Preview

Aitor Karanka has urged his player to ‘fix the mistakes’ which have cost Middlesbrough in their last two games.

Boro have conceded five goals while suffering back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Everton, however Karanka still believes that his side have made a good start to the campaign after five game.

“The only game that we were a little bit off was the last 60 minutes of the last game (against Everton),” he said.

“The first game (against Stoke) we should have won the game, the second game we beat Sunderland, against West Brom we weren’t better than them but we were comfortable on the pitch and against Crystal Palace, if it wasn’t for a mistake, we should have at least drawn the game,” he added.  

The defensive mistakes which Karanka, an ex-defender himself, alluded too were also an issue against Everton last weekend, though the Spaniard didn’t specify whether he would make changes ahead of this Saturday’s game at home to Tottenham.

He did confirm that new arrivals Calum Chambers, on loan from Arsenal, and Bernardo Espinosa are ready to make their first starts in defence and reiterated the fact that he has 22 players competing for places.

Karanka, a serial winner as a player at Real Madrid and as a manager in the Championship, was also asked about the prospect of losing games in England’s top division, to which he responded: “It’s true that the last few years I have always been fighting to win something”.

“This season is the first season when I am losing games but we have to keep going and stay confident,” he added.

Team News

Karanka confirmed that Cristhian Stuani and Jordan Rhodes are available again after both missed Boro’s 3-1 defeat away to Everton with groin and knee injuries respectively.

Tottenham will be without last season’s top scorer Harry Kane, who sustained an ankle injury against Sunderland last weekend. Dutchman Vincent Janssen or Son Heung-min are the most likely forwards who could replace the Englishman upfront.

Left back Danny Rose, who missed last weekend’s game, is still struggling with a hamstring problem and is therefore a doubt. Assessments will be made on the fitness of Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier after both suffered with cramp in Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

The Opposition

Tottenham have backed up last season’s title challenge by taking a very commendable 11 points from their first five games.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side remain unbeaten in the league after three wins and two draws, and the early signs suggest that another top four finish is a real possibility.

They have added to their squad over the summer, with Victor Wanyama adding power solidity in midfield, while Vincent Janssen- last season’s top scorer in Holland’s top division- should provide a good alternative to the currently side-lined Harry Kane.

Moussa Sissoko’s £30 million arrival may have come as a shock to those who watched him at Newcastle last season, however if the Frenchman can recapture the form that he showed for his country at the Euros this summer then he could also prove a useful addition.

Pochettino must also decide whether to prioritise Tottenham’s Champions League game away at CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, so squad rotation may be a factor at the Riverside.

One To Watch

Christian Eriksen

The Danish midfielder has recently signed a new contract at White Hart Lane and will arrive at the Riverside in good form after scoring twice against Gillingham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Eriksen is a threat from set plays, especially free kicks, and can often cause problems for opposition defences by drifting in and out on to the wing.

Last Time Out

Tottenham 4 Middlesbrough 0 – 4/3/2009

Boro’s fight against relegation wasn’t helped by a dismal day in North London.

Gareth Southgate’s side were never in the game against a rampant Spurs side, who took the lead after nine minutes though Robbie Keane.

Roman Pavlyuchenko made it 2-0 five minutes later before two goals from Aaron Lennon completed the scoring for Harry Redknapp’s team.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

Boro have made some defensive mistakes in the last two games but I still think it's too early to make wholesale changes at the back.
They lacked a goal threat away at Everton so I would like to see Stuani return to the side. Adam Clayton also sat out at Goodison Park and his presence could be important in midfield.