Tottenham travel to Newcastle for their third Premier League fixture of the season
Tottenham Hotspur thumped Everton 4-0 at home last weekend but face a difficult visit to Newcastle United’s St. James’ Park at 1:30pm UK time on Sunday, 1st September.
Ange Postecoglou will hope that his team can pick up another win before the international break to kickstart a good run of form, which could help them in pursuing a top-four spot in the league.
The Australian has a tough task at hand against a formidable side that has one win and one draw in the Premier League so far. Newcastle had a midweek fixture against Nottingham Forest, which they won on penalties, prior to hosting Spurs this weekend.
It will be an interesting clash between two high-quality teams who are both going to gun for a European berth, very possibly in the Champions League, for much of the season.
Team News
Newcastle United
Newcastle United have their fair share of injuries at the start of the season, which have partly contributed to a slower start for Howe’s men than many would have anticipated.
Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles, Lewis Miley, Martin Dubravka and Sven Botman are all expected to miss out while Fabian Schar is still suspended after receiving a red card against Southampton on matchday one.
Newcastle have a former Tottenham player in their side in Kieran Trippier though it remains to be seen if the right-back is handed any game time with Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento being prioritised ahead of him.
Aleksander Isak has misfired for the Magpies so far in the season but he will look to finally open his account when Spurs visit, while Anthony Gordon, who scored in the draw against Bournemouth last week, will also be a nailed on starter and a player Tottenham must contain.
PREDICTED NEWCASTLE XI: Pope; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak; Gordon
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur’s injury woes are not too much better than Newcastle’s with Dominic Solanke injured and the likes of Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie and Rodrigo Bentancur doubtful.
Udogie was subbed off against Everton last time around but with a week between the two fixtures, he should have regained his match fitness after a laborious start to the season and the same also holds true in van de Ven’s as Ange Postecoglou brushed off any serious fears regarding their fitness.
Bentancur, however, will not be risked due to his head injury against Leicester City and might only become available on the other side of the international break when Arsenal travel to Spurs.
With the Uruguayan ruled out, French prodigy Wilson Odobert could start once more. Solanke’s absence could push Brennan Johnson into a more central role and he is likely to be flanked with an unchanged offensive unit from the Everton win with Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski set to start.
PREDICTED TOTTENHAM XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Maddison, Odobert; Kulusevski, Johnson, Son
Match-deciding duel
Aleksander Isak vs Cristian Romero
With Spurs playing away from home, it is imperative that they defend well and keep a hungry striker, Aleksander Isak at bay. The Swede is a prolific goal-scorer and can play make.
Cristian Romero will likely be tasked with keeping him quiet and if the World Cup winner can excel at his duties, it would be a good benchmark for the rest of his teammates to contribute in what should be a winning cause.
Prediction
Newcastle United 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
A fatigued Tottenham defence will likely be breached by the hosts, Newcastle, but after scoring four goals against Everton, the offensive department should have enough lethality to hand Spurs a vital win before the international break.
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It will be a hard-fought result and Tottenham will need to grind but come the end of 90 minutes at St. James’ Park, Postecoglou will be a happy and proud boss.
