Marine v Spurs – how to watch, team news, key information

It’s one of the most appealing FA Cup third round ties of all time for the football purist as we prepare to travel to non-league Marine on Sunday (kick-off 5pm).

Playing in the Northern Premier League Division One North West – the eighth tier of the English football pyramid – Marine have already come through seven rounds to reach this stage of the competition, making it this far for only the second time in their history. They previously lost a third-round tie against Crewe Alexandra in 1992/93.

It’s our first competitive meeting with a non-league side since we beat Altrincham 3-0 in January, 1995.

Ahead of the match, here’s our usual run-down of all the key information you need to know...

How can I watch the game?

Sunday’s tie is being televised live in the UK on BBC One, with kick-off at 5pm.

BBC Radio 5 Live will carry live commentary, as will our live Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Spurs Official app, where you can also enjoy live minute-by-minute text updates, goal alerts and stats, meaning you won’t miss a kick.

Full worldwide broadcast listings are available here.

How will the teams line up?

Marine have taken the unusual step of signing their league rivals’ player-manager David Lynch, who is not cup-tied and therefore eligible to face us.

An experienced midfielder who previously represented Halifax Town, Southport and Alfreton, Lynch is currently in charge of Lancashire-based Clitheroe, who have agreed to release his playing registration for a 14-day period while the Northern Premier League campaign is on suspension because of the pandemic. He has played for boss Neil Young previously.

Also in the Marine squad is defender David Raven, who played for Liverpool against us in a League Cup tie at White Hart Lane back in December, 2004.

Gareth Bale could be fit to play for us after a calf problem while Erik Lamela may also return. Giovani Lo Celso remains out.

Jose Mourinho expects to take a strong squad to the north-west, telling the media on Friday: “With a starting 11, plus nine on the bench, we are speaking about 20 players, and I can tell you, in these 20 players, we are only going to take one Under-18 player, on the bench. Apart from that, we will have 19 players from the first team squad.”

Who is the referee and what colours will the teams be playing in?

Michael Oliver will take charge of the match at the Marine Travel Arena on Sunday, assisted by Simon Bennett and Gary Beswick. Andre Marriner will be the fourth official.

The competition rules have been updated ahead of the third round, with clubs now able to name a maximum of nine substitutes on the bench, of which five may be used. Teams are permitted a maximum of three opportunities, excluding half-time, to make substitutions during normal time, and have the ability to carry over any unused substitutes and make a further substitution should the tie progress to extra-time.

Marine play in gold-and-black-halved shirts with black shirts and socks. We’ll be in our usual home kit of Lilywhite shirts, navy blue shorts and white socks.

What will the weather be like?

It’s forecast to be cloudy and breezy in Crosby, where Marine are based. Temperatures are expected to be around six degrees during the game.