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Tottenham host Newcastle in the Premier League with both teams juggling injuries and a need to win to keep their hopes of a top four finish on track.
Both sides lost Thursday night, Spurs to West Ham and Newcastle to Everton, so today’s match is an opportunity for one of them to get back to winning ways.
Ange Postecoglou perhaps needs a victory more than Eddie Howe. After a bright start Spurs have now gone five league games without a win, losing four of the fixtures in that run. Despite that poor form, they remain a point above Newcastle who have been fluctuating between wins and losses at an inconsistent rate.
Just one point separates the teams so today’s encounter could prove vital for the final finishing positions at the end of the season.
Follow along with all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Tottenham vs Newcastle
We’ve already seen plenty of goals in the earlier kick-offs today. Could we be in for some more this afternoon? Well, history certainly points to it.
In fact, in Premier League history, only Arsenal v Tottenham (88) and Liverpool v Newcastle (87) have seen more first-half goals scored than Newcastle v Tottenham (86). Indeed, the Magpies led 5-0 at half-time in their last meeting in April.
Tottenham vs Newcastle
Some pre-match thoughts from the Spurs boss:
Tottenham vs Newcastle
It’s another trip down to London for Newcastle but the nation’s capital has been a happy hunting ground for the Magpies recently.
They are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games in London (W4 D4) since a 5-1 defeat at Tottenham in April 2022. It’s the Magpies’ longest-ever unbeaten league run in the capital.
Can they keep the run going today?
Ange Postecoglou grateful to Eddie Howe for journey to Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou admits he owes Newcastle boss Eddie Howe a thank you for his unintended role in his journey to Tottenham.
Sunday will see Postecoglou and Howe go head-to-head for the first time, but back in the summer of 2021 they were the talk of Glasgow.
Howe was widely expected to take the vacant Celtic role only to turn it down following prolonged negotiations, which resulted in Postecoglou getting the nod.
The Australian never looked back and after he won five trophies during his two-year stay in Scotland, it convinced Spurs to give the 58-year-old his first opportunity to be a Premier League manager.
“Oh absolutely, sliding doors moment,” Postecoglou acknowledged. “There’s probably been no bigger decision in me being here today than Eddie knocking back the Celtic job.
“I haven’t thanked him, I probably should.”
Ange Postecoglou grateful to Eddie Howe for journey to Tottenham
After Eddie Howe turned down the Celtic job in 2021, the Scottish Premiership outfit hired Ange Postecoglou.
Eddie Howe says Bruno Guimaraes ‘at the fulcrum of everything’ for Newcastle
Eddie Howe says Newcastle need Bruno Guimaraes to be at his best for his team to tick.
The 26-year-old Brazil international has hit top form in recent weeks after battling his way through a persistent ankle injury which hampered him for several months. He was one of the Magpies’ star performers in their Premier League victories over Chelsea and Manchester United and his return to that level could hardly have been better timed for head coach Howe as he contends with an ongoing selection crisis.
He said: “You need your top players to play really well when you’re in a situation like this that we’re in at the moment, and I think Bruno has certainly done that.
“I thought Manchester United and Chelsea, were up there with his best performances, and the first half against PSG. He’s such an important person to that part of the game for us that it is hard work for him physically, but he’s able to repeat those physical exertions that we need him to, so I think his game’s in a very good place.
“It has to be for us to perform well because he’s at the fulcrum of everything really.”
Kieran Trippier vows to improve following Everton display
Kieran Trippier has vowed to get back to his best after a disappointing performance in Newcastle United’s 3-0 defeat to Everton.
Trippier was at fault for the first two goals his side conceded, giving the ball away in the build-up to Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucoure’s second-half strikes.
“I don’t hide. We’ve just got to move on now, we’ve got another big game in three days,’ said the former Spurs man.
“Listen, it’s one of those where you’ve made mistakes. Players make mistakes – I’ve made a couple today, I hold my hands up, I take responsibility and now it’s about getting on the bike again and getting ready for another big game in three days against Spurs.
“For me personally, obviously I’m very disappointed because of my own actions in certain moments in the game, but that’s something I’ll deal with. I’m an experienced player and I can handle these things.
“But the best thing about it is there’s a game in three days where we can try to put it right.”
Ange Postecoglou urges Tottenham to bounce back from West Ham defeat
Ange Postecoglou called on wasteful Tottenham to not feel sorry for themselves after they suffered a fourth defeat in five matches with a 2-1 home loss to West Ham.
Their midweek loss extends Spurs’ winless run to five matches despite them taking the lead in each of those fixtures, which is a new Premier League record but Postecoglou urged them to bounce back on Sunday when Newcastle visit north London.
“There’s no point in feeling sorry for ourselves, looking for a cuddle anywhere,” Postecoglou insisted.
“There’s only one way to change our circumstances and that is to come here on Sunday and put in a performance. Not just play good football but go out there and show some conviction about ourselves as a team.
“Sometimes we can disguise how we’re going by playing some nice stuff but like I said from day one, that’s not what I’m about. I want to win and that’s why I came to this football club and that’s the message.
“We’ve still got a long way to go, I’ve said that from the start. We’re still right at the beginning of what we need to create and days like today just give me further evidence and fuel of how much we need to do.”
Tottenham vs Newcastle – Newcastle team news
The away side, meanwhile, name an unchanged team following their 3-0 defeat to Everton in midweek. Eddie Howe’s side are still hampered with several injuries but can welcome back Sean Longstaff to the subs bench.
Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Livramento; Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
Tottenham vs Newcastle – Spurs team news
Ange Postecoglou makes two changes from his side’s midweek defeat to West Ham. Sarr replaces Hojbjerg in central midfield, while Richarlison comes in for Lo Celso. The Brazilian forward has been listed last on Spurs’ lineup graphic so perhaps that suggests he might start through the middle.
Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Davies, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Johnson, Son, Richarlison.
Tottenham vs Newcastle – confirmed lineups
And the teams are in!
Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Davies, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Johnson, Son, Richarlison.
Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Livramento; Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
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