Tottenham vs Newcastle United preview

Tottenham vs Newcastle United

Nov 10, 2013 at 12pm (UK)

White Hart Lane

An inspired 2-1 win in the Europa League over Sheriff Tiraspol means Tottenham Hotspur will look to play with more vigor when they entertain Newcastle United at White Hart Lane on Sunday. While Erik Lamela won many plaudits thanks to his delightful performance, Jermain Defoe might feel he has a case as far as the starting eleven is concerned. Travelling Newcastle fans will believe that they stand a chance of picking up all three points as they will go into the match at the back of a wonderful 2-0 win over Chelsea last weekend and manager Alan Pardew would be hoping his team can build on that.

Currently Sixth on the table (after the Chelsea and Everton matches), Spurs would be looking to aim high up the table as far as their Champions League aspirations is concerned. The Magpies on the other hand would want to show their fans that the win over Chelsea last weekend was simply not a flash in the pan, rather they are a unit who can get results against the very best in the country.

Newcastle sit eleventh on the table and look to build on the momentum, which has been lacking at St. James Park over the last few campaigns. Yohan Cabaye and Ben Arfa would be the travelling side’s best bet if they are to muster something out of this match.

Team News:

Tottenham:

French Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is expected to be under the sticks for the home side despite suffering a concussion against Everton last week. Lloris was involved in a horror collision with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku last Sunday and required lengthy treatment on the pitch as Spurs’ medical team assessed the damage to his head. The French stopper, though passed fit, was replaced by Brad Friedel for during the Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol. However manager Andre Villas-Boas, according to Daily Star, revealed that Lloris is to return to his starting line-up for the clash with the Magpies.

Erik Lamela is pushing for a start following his first goal for Villas-Boas’ side against the Moldovan outfit. And Jermain Defoe is expected to make way for Roberto Soldado, despite becoming the club’s all-time European top scorer in Thursday’s win, with his 23rd strike.

Newcastle:

Tiote could play a vital role for the Magpies tomorrow

The Magpies will be hoping club captain Fabricio Coloccini returns from his groin injury after missing out the previous four games. Elsewhere Tiote who received a knock against Chelsea should retain his place in the heart of Newcastle’s midfield.

Predicted Line Ups:

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Chiriches, Dawson, Vertonghen; Paulinho; Lennon, Sigurdsson, Holtby, Townsend; Soldado

Newcastle United: Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran; Shola Ameobi, Remy

Match Facts:

• Tottenham have lost only one of their last seven Barclays Premier League games against Newcastle, after losing each of the previous six.
• Newcastle have won six away games at White Hart Lane in the Barclays Premier League, they have only won more at Villa Park (8).
• Spurs have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three games, the only team to record four in a row this season are Southampton.
• This is the third time in four seasons that Newcastle have taken 14 points from their opening 10 Premier League games.
• Tottenham’s record in Premier League games played after Europa League ties this season is W3 D0 L2.
• Newcastle have picked up two of the three yellow cards for shirt removal in the Premier League this season.

Stats complied from Eurosport

Predictions:

It might be a roller coaster match for either teams, but on paper Tottenham by far look the best to garner three points at home against a Magpies side who have been consistently inconsistent.