Newcastle United will travel to face Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday afternoon, hoping to secure another victory to bolster their position near the top of the Premier League table. The match, set to kick off at 12:30 PM GMT at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is highly anticipated as both teams are on opposite trajectories at this stage of the season.
Tottenham, under the management of Ange Postecoglou, has struggled significantly of late, securing just one win from their last seven Premier League encounters. They currently find themselves languishing just above the relegation zone, putting immense pressure on Postecoglou as he grapples with both form and injuries. The Lilywhites drew 2-2 against Wolverhampton Wanderers recently, and they are yet to win at home this season—far from the standard expected by their loyal fanbase.
A key factor contributing to Spurs' struggles has been their injury problems, particularly within the defensive line. With players like Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Guglielmo Vicario all sidelined, Postecoglou faces challenges assembling his squad. Rodrigo Bentancur’s suspension adds to the list of woes, leaving Tottenham’s defensive frailties exposed. Reports suggest the home side has not enjoyed the best of luck at home, evidenced by their inability to keep clean sheets, with most games seeing more than 2.5 goals scored.
On the other hand, Newcastle United has seen quite the resurgence. Manager Eddie Howe has steered the Magpies to four consecutive victories across all competitions. They are particularly buoyed by their impressive 2-0 triumph over Manchester United last week. With their defense tightening up—keeping clean sheets consistently—Newcastle have climbed to fifth place and are only three points off the coveted top four.
Newcastle has not only exhibited defensive solidity but has also been potent offensively. Their attack, led by the dynamically skilled Alexander Isak, has been formidable, particularly against teams like Manchester United. Notably, Newcastle has had success against Tottenham, winning four of their last five encounters and maintaining momentum going forward.
The team news for both sides reflects their injury struggles: Tottenham will be without Destiny Udogie and Richarlison, among others, putting even more emphasis on young players getting significant minutes. They face the tall task of containing Newcastle’s attackers, especially Isak. Meanwhile, Newcastle will miss key defender Fabian Schar due to suspension, adding some uncertainty to their defense, though they may see the return of Sven Botman.
When considering the predicted lineups, Tottenham is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring Forster, Spence, Dragusin, Gray, and perhaps Son leading the charge. Conversely, Newcastle's lineup is expected to include Dubravka, Livramento and will look to maintain their high-pressure approach with players like Murphy and Isak at the forefront.
Tactically, Spurs will need to dominate possession and break down Newcastle's organized defense, utilizing their top attacking players effectively. Conversely, Newcastle will likely aim to exploit Spurs’ defensive vulnerabilities by pressing high and capitalizing on quick transitions.
Considering the current forms of both sides and the injuries affecting Tottenham, it is anticipated this match could favor Newcastle, with predictions leaning toward a 2-1 result for the visitors. Newcastle's recent defensive solidity combined with their attacking flair appears too much for the struggling Spurs.
Despite the challenges, Tottenham will look to kindle their pride and improve upon their current position, but the mountain they must climb remains steep against a revitalized Newcastle side.