FA Cup / Feizal Rahman / 18 February 2012 / 1

Tottenham are understandably strong favourites to win the match but, at the very least Stevenage, should give them a pretty competitive match, says Feizal Rahman.

Stevenage v Tottenham Hotspur, KO: Sunday 14:00, ITV1, Match Odds: Stevenage [12.0], Tottenham [1.33], The Draw [5.7]

Tournament favourites, Tottenham, make the short journey north to face Stevenage in the fifth round of the FA Cup this Sunday. Although 47 places separate the Premier League side from the League One outfit - and the gulf in class obvious - the visitors would be fools to take this tie lightly.

Stevenage have no injury worries and are likely to name the same side that won away at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night. Spurs are without Rafael van der Vaart and William Gallas, while Younes Kaboul is doubtful. With Ledley King likely to be rested, Ryan Nelsen may be handed a start.

Match Odds

Stevenage are on an extended run of solid form with just one defeat in their last 20 matches in all competitions and eight wins in the last 10. Opta note that in the FA Cup this year, they are yet to concede a goal in their four consecutive wins. At home, Gary Smith's men have picked up four wins in their last six and the club are now in contention to achieve their third promotion in three seasons.

Tottenham, are currently enjoying their finest ever period in the Premier League and only a disastrous slip-up during the run-in should deny the club a Champions League place. However, manager, Harry Redknapp, would surely love to bring silverware to the club, if only as a parting gift.

Despite their lofty position, Spurs haven't produced the away form of genuine title contenders and domestically have just one victory from their last four on the road. That win came in the previous round at Watford - a match Redknapp was quick to admit his side were lucky to come out on top.

Having only gained promotion to the football league in 2010, Stevenage are yet to face Tottenham in any competitive fixture to date. However, the Hertfordshire side did knock out Newcastle in the fourth round of this competition last season, so do have previous experience against top flight clubs.

Stevenage should give a good account of themselves but Tottenham can be taken to have too much quality and pick up the win at [1.33]. The end result could flatter the visitors - as it did in the previous round - and Spurs are around [2.06] to win with a -1.5 Asian handicap. The Tottenham/Tottenham Half Time/Full Time Result may also attract at [2.02].

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Five of the last eight at Broadhall Way have seen just one goal scored at best and while 'The Boro' have failed to fire in five games at home this term, they have also kept as many clean sheets. The League One club have conceded only nine times in their last 20 fixtures, home or away.

Spurs have kept four clean sheets in their last six away fixtures in all competitions and have failed to score just once in the last nine. The North Londoners have scored an average of two goals per game since the turn of the year and goals are expected with Over 2.5 Goals trading at [1.75].

The rigid Stevenage defence may hold out for a while and their attack could nick a goal against a weakened Spurs defence. However, the Premier League side should have too much firepower and Over 3.5 Goals appeals at [3.0] with a 1-3 Correct Score https://sports.betfair.com/Index.do?mi=104852695&ex=1&origin=MRL&rfr=3013 on offer at [15.0].

First Goalscorer

Opta reveal that Jermain Defoe has netted eight in his last 10 FA Cup starts and the striker is [5.0] to open the scoring, while Louis Saha - who hit a debut double last week - is [2.2] to strike at any time. Stevenage defender, Scott Laird, has two in his last three and is [10.0] to get on the scoresheet.

Sending Off

There have been four red cards shown in the last four games at the Lamex Stadium and Stevenage's reputation for a battle may get the better of them. A sending off can be backed at around [5.0].

Recommended Bets:

Back Tottenham -1.5 Asian Handicap @ [2.06]
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ [3.0]
Back Sending Off @ [5.0]

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1. Chrispurs | 18 February 2012

   'Tottenham are understandably strong favourites to win the match but this is the same Stevenage side who knocked them out of the FA Cup last year.'

   You sir, are an idiot!

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