Tottenham Hotspur are aiming to avoid an all-time FA Cup upset when they take on National League opponents in Tamworth on Sunday afternoon.
Spurs make the trip to Staffordshire this weekend after enjoying a 1-0 triumph over Liverpool in their first part Carabao Cup semifinal on Wednesday. – a performance and result Ange Postecoglou desperately needed with the North London Derby looming.
16th in the fifth tier after 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 have been made to work extremely hard for Sunday's game, having beaten Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion in the first and second rounds respectively.
Here it is 90 minutes guide for sunday FA Cup tie from Land of the Lamb.
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 – 01/08/25 |
|
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 streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
ITVX, STV Player, ITV 1 UK, STV Scotland, UTV |
|
United States |
ESPN+, the 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 not-so-secret weapon, with the experienced 33-year-old set to line up in midfield for the hosts on Sunday.
Tamworth are without striker Ben Acquaye due to a torn ACL, while Callum Cockerill-Mollett is a new addition to the treatment chart.
Center back Jordan Cullinane-Liburd has played an important role in Tamworth's FA Cup journey so far and he is eligible to return to the squad on Sunday after serving his three-match ban last week.
Tamworth predicted formation against Tottenham (4-4-1-1): Singh; Crompton, Libard, Hollis, Fairlamb; McGlinchey, Milns, Tonks, Williams; Morrison; Creaney.
Postecoglou will fear 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-team players are currently sidelined with injuries, while Fraser Forster is battling an illness. There could be another start for young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after his impressive debut in midweek, while Pape Sarr and James Maddison are both back in contention after serving suspensions against Liverpool.
Rodrigo Bentancur is Tottenham's latest casualty – he will be out for several weeks under concussion protocols.
Mikey Moore and South Korean Yang Min-hyeok could fill the wings for the visitors with Will Lankshear leading the line. Sergio Reguilon should also be considered as a left back.
Tottenham predicted formation against Tamworth (4-3-3): Kinsky; Spence, Dragusin, Dorrington, Reguilon; Bissouma, Maddison, Sarr; Young, Lankshear, Moore.
A naturally pessimistic fan base no doubt has some nerves heading into this match, given the steep artificial pitch and Tonks' long shots.
While this has set up for a Spursy afternoon just days after they knocked out the best team in the country, Postecoglou's men will certainly not let up here.
Overcoming EFL opposition is one thing, but an inexperienced Tottenham team is another kettle of fish for Tamworth. It will be a great occasion for the hosts, but Spurs need to win a contest.