Capital One Cup 2015: Latest Semi-Final Live Stream Info, Predictions
Tottenham Hotspur will host Sheffield United at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, kicking off the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final clash at 7.45 p.m. GMT.
Spurs are the in-form favourites, but the Blades have already eliminated a top Premier League club from the competition by beating Southampton 1-0. They also beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 in the FA Cup, further underlining their penchant for playing their best against the best.
Here's all you need to know about Wednesday's clash, as well as predictions of how the action will play out:
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Date: Wednesday, Jan. 21
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: White Hart Lane, London
TV info and live stream: The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports 1 (for UK viewers), with mobile coverage available via the Sky Go app. American fans can listen in on the match via SiriusXM FC.
Sheffield United Won't Shy Away From "Dirty" Tactics
How physical do the Blades plan to be when they meet the Lilywhites? Midfielder Jose Baxter was brutally honest during an interview with the Daily Telegraph's Mark Ogden, via the newspaper's Twitter feed:
According to Baxter, Premier League clubs are simply too nice, and it's a "weakness" his side can exploit.
Clubs from the lower leagues always tend to be extra physical with Premier League teams, in an effort to make up for the vast gap in technical ability. United have a tendency to go a bit overboard, however.
Saints manager Ronald Koeman was furious with the club and their behaviour after their Capital One Cup meeting, even refusing to shake hands with manager Nigel Clough, via Goal's Ryan Benson.
The Blades' coaching staff appeared to relish the Dutchman's frustration, and they won't see any reason not to employ similar tactics on Wednesday. Expect to see a scrappy affair, with the visitors crossing the line more than once.
Despite High Intensity, Tie Won't Be Decided on Wednesday
Spurs have been in fine form in recent weeks, and they are now sitting just outside the Champions League spots in the Premier League standings. United haven't been as lucky, dropping their last match against MK Dons and currently sitting a disappointing seventh in League One.
Both teams have echoed the same sentiment going into Wednesday's clash—complacency is not an option. For Spurs, it means carrying on as they have the past few weeks, as Kyle Walker told the London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse:
For the Blades, it's vastly improving on their play in the past few weeks, according to United skipper Michael Doyle. ITV Football shared his comments ahead of the match:
Tottenham will have no intention of leaving the result of this tie up to the second leg. Win big at the Lane, and the return match becomes little more than a formality. United, on the other hand, will want the exact opposite—limit the damage and live to fight another day.
Given United's recent struggles, expect them to defend with numbers, kick at just about everything that moves and fight for any inch of space. Against such an opponent, it's very hard to force an opening.
Spurs' Sheer Quality Makes the Difference
That's not to say this match will end scoreless, however. I still fully expect Spurs to travel to Sheffield with a lead in their back pocket—just not a decisive one.
The form of Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane has been just too good these past few weeks for the club not to at least score once—and possibly more—at home. The Denmark international in particular has a penchant for coming through when his team needs him the most, via KICK TV:
As for Kane, his rise to the top of English football has been a swift one, to the point where fans are demanding he start for the national team, per BBC Sport:
United have plenty of quality for a League One side, something they proved when they kicked Southampton out of the tournament at an earlier stage. But given the form Eriksen and Kane are currently in, one has to assume the advantage lies with the hosts.
I expect an entertaining, action-packed fixture setting up another excellent clash in the second leg.
Final Result: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Sheffield United
