The Carling Cup has been kind to Tottenham in recent seasons, reaching the last two finals, and they can progress into round four at the expense of Preston on Wednesday.
Spurs started the season magnificently with four consecutive Premier League victories and talk of a Champions League place was, perhaps, justified. Harry Redknapp’s men have been handed a sharp reality check however in the past fortnight, beaten comprehensively by both Manchester United and Chelsea, and the North Londoners early season optimism has somewhat subsided.
Lofty expectations at White Hart Lane have always existed but Spurs do appear to possess a squad under Redknapp capable of challenging domestically and both cup competitions should be high on their list of priorities.
Winners of this competition in 2008, when defeating Chelsea at Wembley in the final, Spurs have enough quality, especially going forward, to trouble even the best and an injury-hit Preston should hold no fears.
As is the nature of this tournament it is virtually impossible to predict just what sort of side each respective manager is likely to field but even if Harry chooses to rest England striker Jermain Defoe the likes of fellow Three Lions international Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane are more than capable replacements in attack.
David Bentley, Niko Kranjcar and Giovani Dos Santos could also get a run out and, while Redknapp has defensive concerns, Spurs certainly have the capability to cause any number of problems going forward.
Preston have started the current Championship season under manager Alan Irvine in fine style and they boast an unbeaten home record at Deepdale. Coventry were dispatched 3-2 on the weekend in the north-west, Chris Brown bagging a brace in the process, but they don’t face teams of the calibre of Wednesday’s opponents every week and are set to come up against a number of established internationals.
Spurs, a best priced 1.73 with Sky Bet, would be a more confident pick were it not for defensive worries but even in the likely absence of the crocked trio of Ledley King, Sebastien Bassong and Mathew Dawson the Premier League club appear up to the challenge and a possible paring of Tom Huddlestone and Vedran Corluka at the back doesn’t overly concern me.
Generally considered sixth favourites with the odds compilers in the outright, 10.00 with the likes of Paddy Power, there is no reason that Spurs cannot make it a hat-trick of appearances at the new Wembley and they are tipped to progress inside 90 minutes.
The slick surface at Deepdale will suit their equally rapid passing game and providing they can weather the likely early Preston onslaught, Spurs should be too good.