:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51005873/607360390.0.jpg)
Tottenham Hotspur are headin’ to Teesside! In the first match of this brave post-Harry Kane world, Spurs are in Yorkshire to take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
The last time these two teams met in March of 2009, Harry Redknapp was still picking up the pieces from Juande Ramos’ two-points-in-eight-games opening. In fact, Tottenham’s opening match of that season was at Middlesbrough, and Boro won 2-1 at Riverside. Redknapp righted the ship and crushed Boro on the return leg in March, winning 4-0.
Eight years later, a lot has changed, but Spurs should still be a little wary of Boro in this match. While they’re newly promoted, they were very good in the Championship last season, and now have Alvaro Negredo, Stuart Downing, Victor Valdez, Viktor Fisher, and Gaston Ramirez. In theory, they should be halfway decent.
It hasn’t gone completely according to plan: Boro are 13th with five points after five games, a stretch that includes losses to Everton and Palace, and draws with Stoke & West Brom.
Spurs may choose to keep their rotated side, well, slightly rotated with a trip to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League looming next week before a weekend date with Manchester City. Vincent Janssen is now the man up top, and Mauricio Pochettino might opt to rest one or both of Moussa Dembele and Eric Dier today after both limped off with cramps last weekend.
Spurs are still undefeated, and three points would be a good result today.
COYS!
Lineups
#THFC team: Lloris (C); Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Wanyama, Alli; Sissoko, Eriksen, Son; Janssen. #COYS pic.twitter.com/8h7NkadnQh
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 24, 2016
Subs: Vorm, Carter-Vickers, Trippier, Wimmer, Winks, Nkoudou, Lamela. #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 24, 2016
TEAM NEWS | Here's how #Boro will line up to face @SpursOfficial at the Riverside this afternoon. #UTB pic.twitter.com/ENqUEBdz7b
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) September 24, 2016
How to Watch
Date/time: Saturday, September 24th, 2016, 3:00 p.m. (UK), 10:00 a.m. ET (USA)
Venue: The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, UK
Official: Graham Scott
TV: NBC Sports Live Extra (USA), Not Televised (UK), Sportsnet (Canada), Optus Sport (Australia), other listings at livesoccertv.com
Streaming NBC Sports Live Extra (USA)
Radio: Audio streamed at tottenhamhotspur.com, also often at BBC Radio London, BBC Radio 5 Live, and TalkSport
Match thread rules:
The match thread rules are the same as always. To any visitors coming here for the first time, welcome! We're glad you're here! Wipe your feet, mind the gap, and be sure to check out the other pages at this outstanding site. While you're here, though, we have a few rules and regulations.
- Absolutely no links to illegal streams. They're bad and they get us in trouble. Violators will be warned or banned.
- We have rules against "relentless negativity." Nobody likes a Negative Nancy. Don't knee-jerk and post outlandish or hurtful things just because you're frustrated.
- Along those lines, outright abuse of players or match officials is verboten. It's fine to say "wow, that's a bad call, match official," but it's NOT okay to direct copious amounts of abuse in the direction of said official over a call you did not like.
- Treat other people in the match thread the way you would want someone else to treat your grandmother. Be nice. Observe Wheaton's Law. This is a community of fans, not an un-moderated message board.
- NO SPIDERS!!
- Finally, while we don't have a rule against profanity, please try and keep the naughty words in check. Nobody loves a potty mouth. Also, language that is sexist, racist, or homophobic in nature will be swiftly deleted and you will be immediately banned. This is an open, supportive community.
Have fun, and COYS!