Tottenham vs Newcastle: Match Preview, Teams News and Prediction

Tottenham host Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.

Tottenham Hotspur will resume their Premier League action this Tuesday, and another slip-up here could see Thomas Frank in deep trouble.

The North Londoners had a difficult outing at Old Trafford, which saw Spurs lose on a 2 to nil scoreline. It looked like a one-sided game for most of it, partly thanks to the reckless red card that Cristian Romero took just around that half-hour mark, which will now see him miss four English top-tier games.

This time around Tottenham will host Newcastle United as two sides who are struggling for confidence rub shoulders. The latter has also been in the bottom half of the table, with more than ten (10) figure on the table (much like Tottenham). And Eddie Howe (just like Frank) is also under increasing scrutiny after a damaging defeat at the weekend.

The Lilywhites have now failed to come out on the winning side in the last seven Premier League games. They have also conceded at least two goals in the last five games.

Given that West Ham are only six points behind Tottenham in 18th and they are enjoying a good run of form, the margin for error for Frank & Co. is shrinking fast.

And in the other camp is Newcastle, who come to north London in similarly grim shape as well. We saw Eddie Howe & Co. being bettered at home by Brentford (3-2). The defeat against the Bees was preceded by losses against Liverpool and Manchester City.

Coming into today’s game, the Magpies have gone five games without a win in all competitions. Howe went on to publicly acknowledge that his team is underperforming. And this is exactly what Frank needs to take advantage of.

Team News

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham do have a massive list, and to add to it, Cristian Romero will begin his four-game suspension. Destiny Udogie will also take no part in the game as he nurses a thigh problem.

Alongside Romero and Udogie, all of Maddison, Kulusevski, Kudus, Bentancur, Davies, Bergvall, Richarlison, Porro, and Danso will service the sidelines.

With Danso as well as Romero out of the game, Radu Dragusin will get another opportunity to prove his credentials.

Newcastle United

Newcastle do not have any injury setbacks from the Brentford defeat. But all of Joelinton, Emil Krafth, Tino Livramento and Fabian Schär remain unavailable as they continue their spell in the treatment room.

The duo of Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley will face a late test to determine their availability when kickoff comes around.

Frank’s midfield structure against Newcastle’s transitions

Given how both teams play, the outcome of sequences would generally weigh heavily in controlling the middle of the park rather than having defensive solidity. While Frank will be forced to start with a back three, in stages of dominance on the ball, Palhinha could drop in the middle of the park as a screening presence, which will give Gallagher a licence as well to move into more offensive spaces.

Given that Tottenham will have to go without Romero, Dragusin and Van de Ven will have to command that defence and take up control of decisions like when to push wide or when to maintain compactness.

Solanke continues to be a focal point in attack.

Tottenham will also need to be calmer yet more potent when it comes to their initial buildup, something that they failed to do against United at the weekend.

The Magpies like to sit in mid-blocks, which allows Tonali and Guimaraes to dictate tempo and release balls for pacey wingers early into wide areas.

With Anthony Gordon a doubt for the game, this burden may fall on Elanga and Barnes’ shoulders to give width to the side and stretch the Lilywhites’ backline. Nick Woltemade upfront would mean that Newcastle would have a physical presence centrally.

Predicted Lineups

Tottenham Hotspur (3-4-3): Vicario; Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Gray, Bissouma, Gallagher, Souza; Odobert, Solanke, Simons

Newcastle United (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey; Elanga, Woltemade, Barnes

Prediction

Tottenham have had a hard time at home in the Premier League this season, but Newcastle have also been struggling to defend their leads, which makes it a chaotic feeling going into the game. And if it does end up so, both teams will have times of dominance of sequences going forward.

While a draw will not satisfy the home or the away supporters, it looks likely, and it may end up keeping both head coaches at the helm for now.

Tottenham 2 – 2 Newcastle United