rewrite this title Tottenham vs Newcastle: Preview, predictions and lineups

Newcastle United are looking to pour more misery on struggling Tottenham Hotspur when they visit north London on Saturday.

Spurs are three games without victory and the pressure is mounting on Ange Postecoglou as he suffers a second season dip. The Lilywhites currently sit in the bottom half of the table and defensive injuries continue to affect their chances of turning their fortunes around.

Things are comparatively rosy for Eddie Howe at Newcastle, with the Magpies in excellent form despite a shaky start to the campaign. They have won their last five in all competitions and are hunting down Champions League qualification having climbed to fifth in the table.

Here is 90min’s guide to an intriguing clash in the capital.

Tottenham vs Newcastle H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Tottenham’s extensive injury list is a mitigating factor for their recent performances, with defensive injuries causing Postecoglou enormous issues. Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are all sidelined for Saturday’s clash.

Destiny Udogie has joined them in the treatment room after being withdrawn in the recent draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a hamstring problem that will rule him out for around six weeks.

Another huge concern for Postecoglou is the absence of backup goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who has come down with a sickness bug. 25-year-old Brandon Austin will be called on to make his senior debut in between the posts.

The good news for Postecoglou is that Djed Spence is available once again following suspension.

Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Mikey Moore are all unavailable in the front line, while Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended again after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season against Wolves.

Tottenham predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Austin; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Solanke.

Newcastle are without a number of defenders themselves, with Fabian Schar having added his name to the list of absentees following a fifth booking of the season during the win against Manchester United. Jamaal Lascelles, Nick Pope and Emil Krafth are also missing in the backline.

Sven Botman is closing in on a return following a ten-month long injury but Saturday is likely to come too soon for the Dutch defender. Lloyd Kelly will be called upon at centre-half to partner Dan Burn.

Callum Wilson is still far off a return from a hamstring injury meaning the in-form Alexander Isak, who has an excellent record against Spurs, will lead the line.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Tottenham (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Kelly, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Newcastle have an impressive recent record against Spurs, winning four of the last five duels. They have enjoyed convincing 6-1 and 4-0 home victories, while also beating Tottenham on the road in 2022/23. Their impressive form and improving consistency arguably makes them favourites against their injury-hit hosts.

Tottenham’s issues have quite clearly been in defence this season and they’re unlikely to see dramatic improvements against Newcastle. The likes of Isak, Anthony Gordon and in-form Jacob Murphy are primed to punish a much-changed backline.

Spurs always pose a goal threat themselves and are the division’s second-highest goalscorers, but their leaky rearguard could prove costly again this weekend.

Prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP