Tottenham v Newcastle: Preview, Kick-off, Team News

Tottenham will be hoping for a good performance and result against Newcastle United as the club commemorates the life and legacy of Bill Nicholson who passed away ten years ago on Thursday.

Team Update:

Lloris, Dier, Kaboul (c), Vertonghen, Rose; Capoue, Mason; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Adebayor Subs: (unused) Vorm, Chiriches, Davies, Dembele, Lennon, Kane, Soldado

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United (Premier League)

Sunday, 26th October, 2014

Kick-off: 13.30pm (UK Time)

Last Season

Last November, Spurs suffered a single goal defeat by Newcastle at White Hart Lane when goalkeeper Tim Krul performed outstandingly to prevent a Tottenham recovery after conceding an early goal scored by Loic Remy. The defeat increased the pressure on Andre Villas-Boas as it was Spurs’ second home defeat of the season and the style of play had become tedious and ponderous.

In the return at St. James’ Park in February, Spurs gave possibly their best display of the season. Tim Sherwood’s team had Hugo Lloris to thank as his early saves denied Newcastle and gave Spurs the platform for their 4-goal victory with goals from Emanuel Adebayor (2), Paulinho and Nacer Chadli.

Newcastle United

It has been a difficult start for Alan Pardew and Newcastle who won their first league match of the season with a single goal victory over Leicester City at St. James’ Park last weekend. Gabriel Obertan scored the only goal of the game with 19 minutes to play.

The Geordies are currently 18th in the Premier League and there has been constant pressure on their manager through the opening months of the season.

Away from home Newcastle have taken 2 points. In their last away match they drew at 2 – 2 at Swansea with Papiss Cisse scoring both goals – their only away goals in the Premier League. They took a point in a scoreless draw in their first away game of the season against Aston Villa. Their heaviest defeat was at Southampton, losing 4 – 0 and they also lost by a single goal at Stoke.

Last season’s win over Spurs was Newcastle’s first win at White Hart Lane since a 4 – 1 success in March, 2008.

Tottenham

This game marks the start of a run of matches from which Tottenham will be hoping to strengthen their position in the Premier League. After yesterday’s results Spurs are in 10th position with 11 points. A win over Newcastle would lift them level on points with Arsenal, Swansea and Liverpool.

Last week’s defeat illustrated that defensively Tottenham still have a long way to go to find a settled team. Going forward, the game at City provided encouragement but they are in need of a striker to take advantage of the chances created and score consistently.

Team News

Mauricio Pochettino will be without the suspended Frederico Fazio, sent off at Manchester City last weekend. Jan Vertonghen will probably partner Younes Kaboul with Eric Dier and Danny Rose continuing at full-back while both Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton are injured.

More from Hotspur HQ

I would anticipate the return of Emmanuel Adebayor at striker as the only other change from last week’s team. The experiment with Roberto Soldado proved unsuccessful – his penalty attempt showing how low on confidence he has become.

Newcastle will be buoyed by last weekend’s victory although they have an injury concern over Papiss Cisse, their leading scorer. Cheick Tiote, Mike Williamson, Emmanuel Riviere and Sammy Ameobi, however, could be available after missing last week’s game. Ryan Taylor is in the squad after being out for a lengthy period with serious injury.

This is a match Tottenham need to win. They failed miserably against West Bromwich Albion who had started the season poorly and will not want a repeat of that performance or result against Newcastle.

Home/Tottenham News