Spotlight on… Middlesbrough

We kick-off this season's FA Cup campaign on Sunday as we face Middlesbrough in the third round at the Riverside Stadium (2.01pm kick-off).

There will be a couple of familiar faces for us on the opposition touchline at the Riverside as our former defender Jonathan Woodgate is the man in charge of the Teesside outfit, while Robbie Keane, scorer of 122 goals in near-enough a decade with us, is his assistant.

Team news

Middlesbrough will be without a number of key men for Sunday’s clash at the Riverside. Captain George Friend, goalkeeper Darren Randolph and defenders Daniel Ayala, Anfernee Dijksteel and Ryan Shotton will all miss the third round tie. However, midfielder Marcus Browne could return after recovering from a hamstring problem. New signings Patrick Roberts and Lukas Nmecha - both on loan from Manchester City - could also make their debuts for Boro against us.

Middlesbrough's form

Boro had a stuttering start with two wins from their first 17 games of the season, form that left them languishing in and around the relegation spots. However, in recent weeks, four back-to-back wins including comfortable 2-0 away victories at high-flying West Brom and Preston have seen the North Yorkshire-based side pull 10 points clear of the drop zone - they are now seven points off the play-off places.

One to watch

It has been a very enjoyable festive period for Boro’s Ashley Fletcher as he has scored three times and assisted twice in his side’s five games over Christmas. That haul included a wonder strike against West Brom last Sunday when he lashed the ball home on the half-volley from 40 yards against the Baggies. And with five league goals already to his name this season, he has already equalled his record return for an entire campaign with the second half of the term still to come.

Leader of the opposition

The manager sitting on our opposition’s bench this Sunday needs little introduction. A player who was with us for almost three years and a cup winner with us within his first month in north London, Jonathan Woodgate scored the winning goal in that 2008 League Cup Final against Chelsea and in doing so, wrote his name into Club folklore.

Middlesbrough born, he began his footballing life in their academy but switched to Leeds United aged 16 in 1996. He made his name at Elland Road with almost 150 appearances - including a run to the semi-final of the Champions League - and England recognition all by the age of 23. His performances prompted first Newcastle and then Real Madrid to acquire his services. Injuries struck though and 'Woody' returned home to Boro in 2006. His spell with us followed in 2008 before he had a brief stint at Stoke prior to finishing his playing days back home on Teesside. In the summer, following roles within the academy and first team coaching set-up at the Riverside, Jonathan was appointed as the club’s new manager, assisted by Robbie Keane.

Last five meetings

4 February, 2017 – Spurs 1-0 Boro – Premier League
24 September, 2016 – Boro 1-2 Spurs – Premier League
4 March, 2009 – Spurs 4-0 Boro – Premier League
16 August, 2008 – Boro 2-1 Spurs – Premier League
12 April, 2008 – Spurs 1-1 Boro – Premier League

Last time we met

We consolidated our position of second in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane, in February, 2017. Throughout the game, despite creating numerous opportunities, we had struggled to find a way through Boro’s back line, but we eventually got ourselves in front on 58 minutes when we were awarded a penalty following a foul on Heung-Min Son in the box. Harry Kane stepped up and coolly slotted the ball home to earn us all three points in the contest.

Played for both

A fiery character and a player full of passion for the game, Mido’s infectious energy lit up the Lane just days after he signed on loan from Roma with two goals on his debut in a 3-1 win against Portsmouth in January, 2005. Mido faced a battle for places up front as we had a plethora of striking talent in our ranks with Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Fredi Kanoute, but that was a contest he revelled in. In total, the former Zamalek, Ajax and Marseille man managed 19 goals in just over 60 appearances for us before leaving for Middlesbrough in 2007. He spent two years on Teesside before spells at Wigan and West Ham, as well as returns to Zamalek, Ajax and Middlesbrough later on in his career.  A hero back home in Egypt, Mido scored 19 goals in his 50 caps and helped his country lift the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2006.

Quick quiz on Boro

1. Who scored a brace in our last visit to the Riverside as we defeated Boro 2-1 in September, 2016?

• Heung-Min Son
• Harry Kane
• Christian Eriksen

2. In which year did we last face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup?

• 1966
• 1976
• 1986

3. Which of the following former Spurs spent time on loan at Middlesbrough during the 2014/15 season?

• DeAndre Yedlin
• Federico Fazio
• Ryan Fredericks

4. Which midfielder departed N17 for Middlesbrough in 1995?

• Gheorghe Popescu
• Nick Barmby
• David Howells

5. Which of the following former Spurs managers also had a spell in charge of Middlesbrough?

• Terry Venables
• Glenn Hoddle
• Christian Gross

(Answers at the bottom)

Pictures from the past

Match data

Venue – Riverside Stadium.

Opposition colours – Red shirts, white shorts, red socks.

Referee – Stuart Attwell.

Weather forecast – Mostly cloudy, nine degrees.

Answers: 1 – Heung-Min Son; 2 – 1966; 3 - Ryan Fredericks; 4 – Nick Barmby; 5 – Terry Venables.