Newcastle United host Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park in a Premier League contest.
Locked on four points apiece, victory could put either team into the top four.
Team News
Joe Willock is ruled out for Newcastle with a knock suffered during their Carabao Cup victory at Nottingham Forest in midweek.
Martin Dubravka (unspecified) is unlikely to be involved amongst the substitutes.
Fabian Schar (suspension), Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles (both knee), Lewis Miley (metatarsal) and Callum Wilson (back) remain absent.
Tottenham could welcome Rodrigo Bentancur back into contention after he missed their 4-0 league win over Everton, due to a head injury.
Destiny Udogie (fatigue) and Mickey van de Ven (knee) could be available but Richarlison (unspecified) has been ruled out.
Dominic Solanke (ankle) remains sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Tottenham at St James Park on Sunday 1 September at 1:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won three of their last nine meetings against Tottenham (W3, D2, L4).
- Tottenham have avoided defeat in five of their last seven visits to Newcastle (W4, D1, L2).
- Newcastle are looking to record three consecutive home wins in the top-flight over Tottenham for the first time since April 2006 – October 2007
- Newcastle won all seven home matches against London-based teams last season (W7), during which they kept five clean sheets.
- Coming into this matchweek, no player produced more touches on the ball than Tottenham’s Cristian Romero (223).
Prediction
Despite their lightning start at Forest, Newcastle were incredibly wasteful despite their large periods of dominance, amidst some poor marking for Forest’s equaliser which can’t be repeated here if want to win this game.
Tottenham meanwhile comfortably thrashed Everton with a dominant attacking performance, in which they were simply clinical but I do expect them to face a much tougher defence here.
Throw in defensive horror shows of their own in their last two visits to Tyneside and you have to wonder if there will be nerves amongst some Spurs players, especially given how well Newcastle did at home to London-based teams last season.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies though haven’t found top gear in these opening weeks but are absolutely resilient, so I can see them digging deep for a draw if Tottenham are as wasteful as they were at Leicester in the opening week.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Tottenham
Result: Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham
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