We take a look at tonight's opponents in more details ahead of the match.
A huge clash awaits for the Reds tonight in the Carabao Cup third round, as they head to Wembley for the third time in two years to face Tottenham Hotspur, who are hosting their home matches at England’s home of football this season.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs have had an encouraging rise under manager Mauricio Pochettino in recent years. The North London side are playing Champions League football for the second successive season, after finishing runners-up in last season’s Premier League to Chelsea. Their only previous appearance in the competition was under Harry Redknapp in the 2010/11 campaign, but their improved playing style under Pochettino has been widely praised over Europe. Their last trophy success was in this competition in 2008, a Jonathan Woodgate winner seeing them beat Chelsea 2-1 after extra time.
Playing Style
Spurs’ formation tends to vary depending on opposition. Pochettino is flexible in his approach and has played with a back three, four and five this season. The recent signing of Serge Aurier has provided Kieran Trippier with competition, with one of those commonly used as a wing-back along with Ben Davies. Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele have been solid in the engine room for Spurs this season, as they like to play with two deep-lying midfielders. These may be rotated tonight. The attacking flair further up in the midfield has usually been in the shape of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, providing service to the prolific Harry Kane up top. Again, Spurs are expected to make changes tonight but they will be expected to continue with a fast-paced, direct style of play which has excited many football fans in recent seasons.
The Squad
Hugo Lloris is recognised as one of Europe’s best goalkeepers. The France stopper has supported a defence of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld to maintain the Premier League’s best defence last year. Second-choice ‘keeper Michel Vorm is in contention to start at Wembley tonight, with a possible centre-half line-up of one of the league starters, alongside new signings Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth. Exciting midfield prospect Harry Winks could be pushing for a start, as well as full-backs Kyle Walker-Peters and first-choice Ben Davies. £30million man Moussa Sissoko may keep his place in the side from the weekend’s goalless draw with Swansea, and likely to lead the line is their recent recruit from Saturday’s opponents, Fernando Llorente. Spurs are expected to field a mixture of youth and experience, with several academy youngsters hoping for a spot in Pochettino’s matchday squad.
In The Dugout
As mentioned, Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino leads the side. Pochettino arrived in North London in 2014 after his first managerial spell in England with Southampton. In the last two seasons, Pochettino has finished in the top three and has guaranteed Champions League football. The 45-year-old’s playing career was spent as a central defender, and he made well over 200 Espanyol appearances in two spells at the club. Pochettino also turned out in France for PSG, Bordeaux and for the Argentina national side. His assistant manager is Spaniard Jesus Perez, and first-team coach Miguel D’Agostino was also an Argentine defender in his playing days.
The Stats
Barnsley and Spurs have not met in a competitive match since 1999, when the Lilywhites took a 1-0 FA Cup victory home from South Yorkshire.
They faced each other in the Reds’ solitary Premier League campaign in 1998, playing out a 1-1 draw.
The Reds’ last win over Tottenham was a 3-1 FA Cup success in the same season.
Barnsley wins: 10 Tottenham wins: 17 Draws: 6
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