Tottenham Hotspur will look to bounce back from a bruising midweek defeat when they face high-flying Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Tottenham Hotspur, who face Newcastle United next, slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Manchester United this midweek, but that doesn’t tell the story. The scoreline flatters the Lilywhites’ dour, dull, and lacklustre display. And it could have easily been a smashing had it not been for Hugo Lloris’s spectacular saves in the Tottenham goal.
Despite the rising panic and pessimism over Antonio Conte’s tough-on-the-eye playing style, Tottenham remain third, just four points behind arch-rivals Arsenal at the top. But some of their recent displays have been underwhelming, to say the least.
Spurs have been winning games, but they have fallen short in high-profile games. The Lilywhites have not defeated a fellow top-six outfit this season, including disappointing defeats against Arsenal and, most recently, Manchester United.
Their 100% home record must be taken with a pinch of salt, as the highest-placed side they have defeated at home this season is Fulham. Meanwhile, Tottenham just about scraped over the line in games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Anyway, Conte’s side will need to bounce back in this fixture.
Eddie Howe on this picture:
"I thought it was a really nice moment. You want that feeling, sharing the success with the people around you you've competed with. I would also recognise the guys around those players. They're just as important. The defensive group is very strong." pic.twitter.com/Vhna5dUTsg
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 21, 2022
Newcastle United, on the other hand, are in sixth place in the league table at the moment and have stepped up to the plate under Eddie Howe. The Magpies have come leaps and bounds since the turn of the year, racking up 56 points from 30 games in 2022, ranking fifth in the division. Their most recent victory was a resilient 1-0 success against Everton.
The Magpies’ midweek victory has cemented their place in the Premier League’s top six. And Eddie Howe’s players will fancy their chances against Tottenham following their brave and front-foot performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, where they earned a deserved point.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Antonio Conte spoke to the media ahead of Sunday's game against Newcastle United ⤵️
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 21, 2022
Dejan Kulusevski is a concern for this one after being left out of the squad in midweek as he suffered a fresh setback to a hamstring injury. Richarlison was forced off in the 2-0 victory over Everton and remains sidelined here. Lucas Moura is also not yet fit to start but Emerson Royal returns from suspension.
Tottenham will likely stick with their 3-4-3 formation despite missing Richarlison and Kulusevski to form a front three alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. Wing-back Ivan Perisic could be pushed into an advanced role with his quality crosses and service being a lethal weapon for the hosts.
Son’s underperformance this season has hindered the Tottenham attack. But the South Korean international has a decent recent record versus Newcastle, scoring three goals in the last two meetings. So he will be looking to rediscover his scoring boots here.
Yves Bissouma could be dropped from midfield against Newcastle after delivering a stinker of a performance last time out, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur likely to form a double midfield pivot. How well they can contain Newcastle’s battle-hardened midfield could decide the result.
Matt Doherty will start at right wing-back, while Ryan Sessegnon will step in on the opposite wing as a left wing-back. But Emerson is also available to operate on the flanks after his return from suspension, although he may only make the bench.
Hugo Lloris remains a guaranteed starter between the sticks after he prevented a more humiliating defeat at Old Trafford last time out. Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, and Clement Lenglet will form the central defensive unit in front of the French goalkeeper.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Sessegnon; Perisic, Kane, Son
Newcastle United
Alexander Isak and Matt Ritchie will remain sidelined until probably after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Emil Krafth is a long-term injury concern, while Allan Saint-Maximin is unlikely to be risked here due to irritation to his hamstring.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe has confirmed Joelinton is a major doubt after picking up a knock to his knee against Everton in midweek. But Jonjo Shelvey could make his first appearance of this season here.
Howe is likely to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation, with only a few personnel change expected despite the quick turnaround between the games. Nick Pope will operate between the sticks after a comfortable clean sheet against Everton last time out.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 21, 2022
Fabian Schar and Sven Botman should pair up at the heart of the Newcastle defence as they look to continue their dominant and formidable defensive partnership. Dan Burn will slot in at left-back, providing the aerial supremacy and tactical flexibility for the backline to transition into a back-three in possession. Kieran Trippier will be the organiser at the back, while his combination play and delivery from creative set-piece routines a key feature of Newcastle’s game.
Bruno Guimaraes will be the heartbeat of the team, anchoring everything from the middle of the park, with Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock forming an energetic midfield three.
In attack, an inspired Miguel Almiron has found a new lease of life under Howe, having already netted five times in 11 games this season, his best return in a single campaign. He comes into Sunday’s match off the back of scoring four in four games.
The Paraguayan’s speedy and clever runs in behind may cause Tottenham all sorts of problems on the right. Jacob Murphy will be the other wide forward and will hold dual responsibilities. Callum Wilson is due a goal after firing blanks in his last three outings as he leads the line for the visitors. Youngster Elliot Anderson is also knocking on Howe’s doors for his first Premier League start but will only be utilised as an impact substitute here.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Murphy
Key Stats
- Tottenham Hotspur are undefeated in nine of their last ten matches against Newcastle United in all competitions (W7 D2 L1).
- Newcastle are undefeated in their last six Premier League matches.
- The Magpies have lost just one of their last six Premier League games away from home (W2 D3).
- Tottenham Hotspur have won their last eight home Premier League matches.
- The Lilywhites boast the only remaining 100% home record in the Premier League this season.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
While Tottenham have blown hot and cold this season, their talisman Harry Kane, in contrast, has been extremely consistent this season. The English striker is currently the second-top goal-scorer in the Premier League this season, having chalked up eight strikes in 11 appearances so far.
The Tottenham sharpshooter has also been prolific, operating from their North London headquarters, getting on the scoresheet in each of his last four top-flight appearances at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Newcastle United
While Tottenham have been inconsistent away from home this season, they have been a totally different animal while playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having won each of their five games this season with average of two goals per game.
Newcastle have conceded the fewest number of goals in the Premier League this term (9). But they have also recorded an impressive five clean sheets, with no team managing more this term in the top flight. The visitors can also cause major problems going forward despite missing a couple of their key players’ thanks to their purposeful press that leads to possession won high up the pitch.
They recently pumped both Brentford and Fulham, demonstrating their attacking potency. All in all, this should be an end-to-end entertaining game, with both sides lethal on transitions. Spurs cannot afford another setback, especially against a side pushing for European spots like them. Antonio Conte will want a positive response from his side, but that would not be easy against one of the most in-form sides in the division. For that reason, a share of honours could well be on the cards.