Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game

Full Record of Spurs -v- Middlesbrough

Prem          Pl  W  D  L   For- Ag  Pts
Home           8  2  3  3    8 - 13   9
Away           8  2  3  3    8 - 12   9
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Total(Prem)   16  4  6  6   16 - 25  18
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Football Lge
Home(Div 1)   25 15  4  6   62 - 40  36
Away(Div 1)   25  3  6 16   25 - 52  13
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Total(Div 1)  50 18 10 22   87 - 92  49
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Football Lge
Home(Div 2)    1  0  0  1    2 -  5   0
Away(Div 2)    1  0  0  1    0 -  3   0
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Total(Div 2)   2  0  0  2    2 -  8   0
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Total(Prem)   16  4  6  6   16 - 25  18
Total(Div 1)  50 18 10 22   87 - 92  49
Total(Div 2)   2  0  0  2    2 -  8   0
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Grand Total   68 22 16 30  105 -125  67
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For the second consecutive Sunday, Spurs are playing a team with whom they have shared the despair of relegation. I have told the story at some length before so should have no need to repeat it here.

Middlesbrough have frequently been a team not good enough for the top flight but too good for the second flight, like Leicester City. They did have a long absence from top flight football when they tumbled down the ladder in the 1960s but, by and large, their history occupies the top two flights.

When I first began to take an interest in football, Middlesbrough had a centre-forward called Brian Clough. He spent several years there banging in the goals but later moved to Sunderland and was soon suffering an injury that led to the end of his playing career. It is incredible that none of his managerial appointments were in the north-east where he hailed from.

Probably the best team Middlesbrough had was the one John Neal created between 1977 and 1981. But it all went sour after that and by 1986 Middlesbrough had gone bust and replaced by a new club. Since then, they have been struggling to regain the prominence of top flight life. Middlesbrough have no silverware to boast about though they have twice reached thee Football League Cup Final and once in the FA Cup Final.

Last Sunday, Tottenham defeated Leicester City thanks to a late goal by Kanoute. The very late tackle by Muzzy Izzet has sidelined Kanoute for two months at least. Izzet has apologised for the tackle but said there was no intent. We will have to rely on either Postiga or Zamora to score the goals that Kanoute has been scoring.

Since replacing Hoddle in the wake of the Southampton debacle. David Pleat has been quietly setting out his stall. He undoubtedly has a feeling of unfinished business after his sacking in October 1987. He has jokingly ruled himself out - 'just minding the shop for the next manager' - but Pleat is known to be keen on wanting another chance.

Tottenham have a chequered history over the years since Pleat was sacked in 1987. None of his successors have come close to matching the style of the 1986-87 side, although Venables did bring home the FA Cup in 1991 (largely on the back of Gascoigne) and a man in a raincoat saw Allan Nielsen bundle the ball home in the 1999 League Cup Final.

Looking ahead to Sunday, I take Tottenham to win 2-1, but we may have to be patient for our goals, as, undoubtedly. Middlesbrough will play with their backs to the wall, as they badly need the points!

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Brian

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