Millwall can fight like Lions at Spurs

FA Cup quarter-final
BBC 1, 2pm Sunday

Tottenham will have been more pleased than the Metropolitan Police that they drew a home match against fellow Londoners Millwall in the FA Cup quarter-finals but the Sky Bet League One side could still put up a brave fight at White Hart Lane.

Spurs should progress to the Wembley semi-finals and fully deserve to be considered home bankers, although the long odds-on favourites may struggle to overcome a hefty handicap line.

A punt on Millwall to lose by no more than two goals could be the best bet as the Lions go in search of a fourth Premier League scalp following home triumphs against Bournemouth, Watford and Leicester.

All three of those outfits were made to pay for taking Millwall lightly and their heavy rotation policy combined with a white-hot atmosphere helped the third-tier club reach the quarter-finals.

The atmosphere at White Hart Lane is also sure to be white-hot with 4,000 travelling supporters heading to Tottenham for their first competitive meeting since 1990 and first in north London since 1989.

Millwall will enjoy the role of party-poopers and they arrive unbeaten in 17 matches having conceded one goal in their last ten outings.

Former Spurs keeper Jordan Archer is a major doubt but replacement Tom King has done little wrong since stepping in and Millwall pose a physical threat in the attacking areas in the shape of Steve Morison alongside Lee Gregory.

A makeshift Tottenham defence failed miserably to deal with the muscle of Sky Bet League Two team Wycombe in round four when only a late comeback enabled Spurs to record a frantic 4-3 victory.

Things were easier in the fifth round with a 3-0 stroll at Fulham, but the Cottagers' neat-and-tidy footballing style suited Spurs.

This will be a battle and Tottenham need to be up for it before the class of Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli can supply the ammunition for hotshot forward Harry Kane.

The England international had a successful loan spell with Millwall in 2012 and continues to shoot Spurs towards another top-four finish in the Premier League.

Kane has scored 15 times in 13 appearances in 2017 and is obviously on a different level from what Millwall face on a regular basis.

However, when teams sit in they can make it tough for Tottenham, who were made to settle for 1-0 home wins over lowly trio Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

Recommendation
Millwall +3 on handicap
1pt 3-4 Betfair

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Tottenham
Danny Rose and Erik Lamela are injured. Michel Vorm, Harry Winks and Kieran Trippier are usually selected in cup competitions.

Millwall
Jordan Archer has a 40 per cent chance of playing according to boss Neil Harris. If the former Spurs keeper misses out Tom King will once again deputise.

Key stat
Tottenham have won their last 11 matches at White Hart Lane.

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