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Top 5 Tottenham v Middlesbrough matchups

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Vincent Janssen of Tottenham shakes the hand of manager Mauricio Pochettino during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Gillingham at White Hart Lane on September 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images )
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Vincent Janssen of Tottenham shakes the hand of manager Mauricio Pochettino during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Gillingham at White Hart Lane on September 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images ) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Alvaro Negredo of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring during the Premier League match between Everton and Middlesbrough at Goodison Park on September 17, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Alvaro Negredo of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring during the Premier League match between Everton and Middlesbrough at Goodison Park on September 17, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images) /

Alvaro Negredo vs. Spurs centre backs

I still have an awfully hard time believing that Alvaro Negredo plays for a club like Middlesbrough. No offense intended to the Premier League club, but he could play for a much more successful team.

As it is, they are quite fortunate to have him, and Tottenham will have to fight him for 90 minutes on Saturday. Spurs’ starting centre back duo of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will have their hands full with the former Manchester City striker.

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The good news for Spurs fans, is that Negredo should be pretty starved for service on the day. If Tottenham’s attackers are doing their job, he won’t see that much of the ball.

When he does get a touch in the Tottenham third, expect Alderweireld in particular to look to snuff it out quickly. The Belgian will use his quickness, and positioning to muscle him off the ball before he even has a chance to get comfortable.

It’s hard to imagine Middlesbrough having any joy on Saturday unless Negredo finds the back of the net. The Tottenham centre backs have to make sure that doesn’t happen.

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