Hotspur HQ
Fansided

Tottenham vs. Newcastle: Analyzing the numbers and prediction

By Gary Pearson

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur applauds the fans before the 2019 International Champions Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Internazionale at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur applauds the fans before the 2019 International Champions Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Internazionale at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Looking to extend their winning streak to five matches against Newcastle, Tottenham host the bottom-of-the-table Geordies on Sunday. 

Though a mismatch on paper, Spurs will be hard-pressed to breakdown a side who will assuredly place 11 men behind the ball in trying to frustrate the home side. Like we saw on Matchday 1 against Villa, it’s crucial for Spurs to score early and force the Magpies to come out of their defensive shell.

If Mauricio Pochettino’s side fail to score in the inchoate stages, it’s imperative they don’t concede. The longer this match remains level, the more it favours the pointless Magpies. Delving under the numbers, let’s take a look at some telling statistics in anticipation of this week’s Premier League match.

Tottenham vs. Newcastle: Under the numbers

Historical numbers

    • Spurs have won four straight in all competitions against Newcastle (last defeat came on the final day of the 2015-16 season, when Tottenham unravelled, losing 5-1)
    • Spurs have lost only one match of their last 10 at home
    • Aside from recently, Newcastle have done historically well against Spurs, winning 21 Premier League matches against the Lilywhites. Newcastle have more wins against only Villa, whom they have defeated 22 times
    • The Magpies have scored more goals, 73, against Spurs than any other Premier League outfit
    • None of Spurs’ last 21 Premier League home games against Newcastle have ended as a draw (13 wins for Spurs, 8 wins for Newcastle). (Sky Sports)
    • Harry Kane historically struggles in this fixture, scoring just two goals in eight top flight appearances against Newcastle
    • Sunday marks Pochettino’s 500th match in charge of Spurs

So far this season

  • Newcastle have scored only one goal, a consolation marker in their 3-1 defeat away to Norwich
  • Spurs, with 54.6 percent, have the fifth highest possession in the league, a staggering stat considering how much City had the ball last week
  • Spurs are behind City for the second most attempted shots on goal per game, with 17
  • Spurs trail only City (88.5 percent) for the best passing percentage, completing 87 percent
  • Spurs have the fourth most crosses (43), while Newcastle sit in 10th, with 36 crosses

Prediction

Tottenham will score early in this one, putting to bed any chances of a nervy finish. Newcastle will eventually open up, allowing the home side to exploit gaps in the away side’s penetrated armour. With a 3-0 win, Pochettino’s men will also earn their first clean sheet of the campaign.

What do you think the final score will be on Sunday?