Tottenham v Newcastle – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Tottenham host Newcastle. The Magpies are winless in their last four league matches on the road. Spurs have taken just one point from their last five league matches despite holding a lead in all of them.

Spurs Form

Tottenham’s incredible start to the season is now a distant memory. Their opening 10 fixtures saw them go unbeaten with eight wins and 22 goals netted. However, they are now on a run of one point from five league matches with four defeats. All of those fixtures saw Spurs leading in the clash before surrendering their advantage.

A 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea with nine men came after being 1-0 up. They then conceded two injury-time goals to lose 2-1 at Wolves before losing 2-1 at home to Aston Villa having again led 1-0. Last weekend, Spurs drew 3-3 at Man City having held a lead. On Thursday night, a 1-0 advantage and total first-half dominance turned into a 2-1 home loss to West Ham after a defensive howler.

Spurs Team News

Ange Postecoglou is without the injured Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison in midfield. Gio Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could start again, though Bryan Gil is an option if Lo Celso plays deeper.

Micky Van De Ven is injured in defence so Ben Davies will deputise centrally. In attack, all of Richarlison could be handed a start with Brennan Johnson dropping down to the bench. Ivan Perisic and Manor Solomon are still absent due to injuries.

Spurs Motivation

Despite the recent results, nothing will change in how Spurs play. They will throw men forward, use inverted fullbacks, and try to outscore their opponents.

Ange Postecoglou won’t see a draw as a good result in this match. He will go all out to take three points.

Newcastle Form

With over a dozen injuries, Newcastle are struggling a bit of late. In away league matches, they’re winless in four matches with two defeats in a row. After beating Arsenal 1-0 in the league, they went into the FIFA break after a 2-0 loss at Dortmund and a 2-0 league defeat at Bournemouth.

Some strong performances followed, beating Chelsea 4-1 and drawing 1-1 away to PSG after a late unjust penalty against them. They kept up their energy to dominate Man Utd last weekend in a 1-0 victory. However, in midweek, some defensive howlers led to a 3-0 loss away to Everton as their opponents thoroughly deserved the three points.

Newcastle Team News

Eddie Howe’s injury woes are not easing. Nick Pope will be replaced by Martin Dubravka in goal once again. Dan Burn, Matt Targett, and Sven Botman are all still absent at the back. There is little room to change the starting XI.

In midfield, Elliot Anderson and Joe Willock are out injured and Sandro Tonali is banned, though Sean Longstaff is nearing a return. Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, and Callum Wilson are injured up front. Matt Ritchie and Lewis Hall are the only options if the XI needs to be freshened up a bit.

Newcastle Motivation

Fatigue is a major factor right now. It’s not clear if the Magpies will have the energy to press high and play at their usual tempo.

A draw would be a decent result ahead of hosting AC Milan in the Champions League which is a must-win match.

Key Stats

Spurs have lost 4 of their last 5 matches (led in all 5 fixtures)

The last 5 meetings between these sides have seen 25 goals (13 for Newcastle, 12 for Spurs)

Newcastle have avoided defeat in 3 of their last 4 trips to Spurs (2 wins, 1 draw)

Newcastle are winless in 4 EPL away matches (DDLL)

Verdict

Spurs’ defensive woes and Newcastle’s injury list make this one tough to forecast. The hosts probably have enough to win this one, but the goals market could be a safer route to take.