Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino does not believe the Wembley factor will give his side any advantage in their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United this weekend.
Spurs, playing at Wembley this season while their White Hart Lane home is redeveloped, will be on familiar turf – albeit using the away dressing room – but Pochettino insists it will be a level playing field.
“Of course, we feel at home,” the Argentinian said at his pre-match press conference. “But it’s different to when we play in the Premier League.
“I don’t believe (we will have an advantage) because Manchester United have the experience to play at Wembley too. It’s not an event just for us.
“I think it will be a typical cup game at Wembley – half Tottenham and half Manchester United. I don’t believe we are going to have some advantage for that.”
Pochettino was coy when given his usual pre-match grilling about Toby Alderweireld, the Belgium defender having started his first Premier League match in almost six months in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton.
“I need to decide (on Friday) the starting XI and the players in contention,” he said.
“I am going to decide (on Friday). I have still not decided. We need to assess players after the (Brighton) game.
“At training today, everyone was good. Only Harry Winks and Danny Rose are still out, but the rest (are fit). Now we need to decide.”