Last weekend, Spurs defeated Nottingham Forest while Aston Villa dropped points, giving Ange Postecoglou’s team the opportunity to take the lead in the top four race. A victory against the Magpies will strengthen their case further.
Despite being plagued by injuries and off-field controversies, Newcastle has managed to secure an impressive eighth place in the Premier League. However, their campaign needs to be analyzed with an asterisk mark, as it is a drop in standards from their previous flying season.
Also read: Football Brighton Assistant Andrea Maldera: The Significance Of Possession
Both teams have momentum on their side coming into this game with a win. Tottenham will be quietly confident of getting a favourable result although it must be said that the Magpies have a very good record at home this season. In fact, both these teams have the unique distinction of being the only two to have scored goals in every single home game this season.
DATE & TIME:
April 13, 2024, 12:30pm UK time
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee:Â Tim Robinson.
Assistants:Â Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn.
Fourth official:Â Oliver Langford.
VAR:Â Stuart Attwell.
Assistant VAR:Â Sian Massey-Ellis.
TEAM NEWS:
Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon and Fraser Forster are all long-term absentees for Ange Postecoglou. Richarlison missed the previous game and a late call is expected to be taken on his availability for this game. Other than this, the Australian tactician is expected to have his entire roster to pick from, a luxury he has not been afforded that often this campaign.
Whilst the defence and attack fairly picks itself, it’s anyone’s guess as to who Postecoglou will field in midfield, having fielded as many as 19 combination already this season. Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma started the last game but it will be a huge surprise if we don’t see Rodrigo Bentancur from the start in this game.
Newcastle have a long injury list for this game including Joelinton (thigh) – who signed a new long-term contract on Thursday – Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles (both ACL), Lewis Miley (back), Kieran Trippier (calf), Nick Pope (shoulder), Valentino Livramento (ankle) and Miguel Almiron (knee).
Also read: Just A Few Weeks Until Manchester United Vs Liverpool: Match Preview
Howe though would be used to having to deal with this kind of an injury list throughout this season. He will be hoping for this season to come to a close so that he can wipe the slate clean and start afresh again.
PREDICTED LINEUPS:
Newcastle United: (4-3-3): Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Anderson; Barnes, Isak, Gordon
Tottenham Hotspur: (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma; Johnson, Maddison, Werner; SonÂ
