- Jul 27, 2004
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The Official Site Team News:
Jamie O'Hara is a major doubt for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Middlesbrough due to a bruised foot.
The England Under-21 international joins goalkeeper Paul Robinson on the sidelines, who is still struggling with the ankle injury that kept him out of last weekend’s trip to Blackburn Rovers.
Ledley King, Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou-Ekotto will not feature in the final five games of the season.
Skysports.com Preview:
Tottenham host Middlesbrough on Saturday knowing that they need victory to maintain their outside hopes of a top-half finish.
Neither Spurs or Boro have made many headlines in the league this term, as both have disappointed - with cup competition providing more success.
But while Tottenham tasted Carling Cup glory, Boro blew their big chance of FA Cup success after they lost to finalists Cardiff in the quarter-finals.
Boro's form on paper looks indifferent at best with one win in seven, but in truth their last five games have seen some excellent performances against the likes Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Manchester Unietd - although their only victory has come against bottom of the table Derby.
Like Boro, Spurs have just one win in five - their win coming against Pompey and indeed the White Hart Lane faithful will be seeking a huge improvement on their last home showing as they surrendered 4-1 to Newcastle.
Spurs' form has also seen those behind them close the gap and they could find themselves sinking down the table, indeed a win for Boro at the Lane would see them move to within just two points of Juande Ramos' side.
Team news
The game will mark the first match for Jonathan Woodgate against Boro, since he left his hometown club for Spurs in the January transfer window.
Woodgate will start alongside Michael Dawson in defence with captain Ledley King sidelined for the rest of the season.
Paul Robinson is struggling to make the game with ankle injury and if he fails to make it Czech Radek Cerny will continue in goal.
Jamie O'Hara also remains a doubt with a bruised foot.
Should Robbie Keane start as expected then he will make his 250th league appearances for Spurs.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate looks highly likely to go with the same XI that drew 2-2 with Manchester United last week.
That will mean record signing Afonso Alves maintaining his place after his two-goal salvo against United.
Luke Young looks set to play despite missing some training this week, but Robert Huth is still not ready to return.
BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):
Tottenham Squad (from): Cerny, Forecast, Hutton, Chimbonda, Woodgate, Dawson, Gilberto, Lennon, Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque, Huddlestone, Berbatov, Keane, Bent, Tainio.
Middlesbrough Squad (from): Schwarzer, Young, Taylor, Wheater, Pogatetz, Boateng, Arca, O'Neil, Downing, Aliadiere, Alves, Turnbull, Grounds, McMahon, Shawky, Rochemback, Cattermole, Johnson, Tuncay.
Interesting Stats:
Us
Won one of five; 2-0, home to Portsmouth on 22 March.
Scored 62 goals; only Manchester United (70) and Arsenal (63) have netted more. Scored four or more in a game, seven times, and failed to score just four times; only Arsenal (twice) and Manchester United (three times) have missed the target less often.
An unsurpassed total of 118 goals have been produced in their games (62 for, 56 against); at 3.58, it is the highest goals per game rate in this league.
Scored more goals from open play than any other club (46), hit the woodwork more often (16 times) and been awarded seven penalties (four converted); no club has been awarded more.
Taken the lead in 20 games, and gone on to win 10 of them. Also, lost the advantage an unequalled 12 times this season, and dropped an unmatched 29 points from games in which they were in front (drawn seven, lost five).
Them
Lost one of five and won one of seven; but that was 1-0, home to the divisions whipping boys Derby on 22 March.
Not scored more than two goals in any game this season (all competitions).
Not won by more than a single goal in 28 since a 2-0 home victory over Birmingham on 1 September.
The current tally of 35 points after 33 is their lowest to this corresponding stage in seven seasons. Need seven more points from the five remaining games to avoid equalling their lowest points tally in a 38-game Premier League.
Picked up more cards than any other club; 79 (77 yellows and two red).
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Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, kick off is at 15:00 GMT - check [thread=29818]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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