Tottenham and Hull City will do battle for the second time in four
days, with the two sides vying for victory in the League Cup.
Andre Villas-Boas' charges secured a 1-0 triumph over Hull in Sunday's
Premier League encounter, and Tottenham will once again welcome Steve
Bruce's side to White Hart Lane on Wednesday.
Tottenham's victory came in debatable circumstances, as referee Michael
Oliver awarded a penalty against Ahmed Elmohamady for handball.
The decision appeared a harsh one, with the Egyptian seemingly unintentionally using his arm to block Jan Vertonghen's cross.
Spain international Roberto Soldado duly converted the spot-kick - his
third from 12 yards already this season - as Tottenham secured
back-to-back top-flight victories, much to the chagrin of Bruce.
The fixture with Hull represents Tottenham's third match in the space
of just seven days, meaning Villas-Boas could rotate his squad with the
likes of close-season signing Erik Lamela coming into contention.
The former Roma midfielder has yet to start a Premier League game for
the club, and Villas-Boas admits he is looking for the 21-year-old to
stake his claim for a starting spot.
"With Erik it was a little bit more difficult but we have given him
massive, massive help and his family arrived this week," he said.
"He knows he isn't producing half of what he can produce but he
understands the situation now is that he has to compete for his place."
The game is likely to come too soon for Etienne Capoue, despite his
return to training from an ankle injury, while Danny Rose is out with a
similar problem, but Andros Townsend is not expected to be sidelined
after he fell into a cameraman's pit in Sunday's fixture, injuring his
wrist in the process.
In general Hull have been in good form upon their return to the top
flight, with Bruce's side taking 11 points from nine matches, and they
occupy 10th spot in the league.
But Sunday's reverse means they have gone three games without a Premier
League victory, including losses in their last two matches.
Hull head into the match with an extensive injury list that includes
goalkeeper Allan McGregor (thigh), defenders James Chester (hamstring)
and Abdoulaye Faye (knock) and forwards Sone Aluko (calf) and Danny
Graham (hamstring).
Tottenham defeated Aston Villa in the previous stage, while Hull have
seen off challenges from Leyton Orient and Huddersfield Town to make
round four.
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