It’s advantage Magpies pre-kick-off, with Eddie Howe’s men retaining a three-point lead and a game in hand, although they’ll be keen to respond after a thumping 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa last week saw them surrender third place to Manchester United.
That was just the second time they’ve conceded three times in a PL game this term, with Howe admitting his side were ‘off it in every discipline’.
Returning to Tyneside may be the perfect way to refocus his side’s energy then, as the only side to beat Newcastle on their own turf in the PL since the start of 2022 is Liverpool (x2), while they’ve conceded just nine league goals at St James’ all season.
That’s a record that’s unlikely to faze Tottenham as they journey north, as they’re unbeaten on their last four trips to Newcastle, scoring at least twice in each of those meetings (W3, D1).
Tensions remain high in the camp though, with a 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth last time out leading to rather divisive comments from interim boss Cristian Stellini, stating ‘this isn’t a tactical problem, it’s individual mistakes’.
Stellini has every right to be concerned about his side’s leaky defence, with their 45 goals conceded the second-highest total among sides currently in the top-15 of the PL table!
Spurs have troubles on the road too, with no win from their last four league road trips holding their European chase back (D2, L2) - a fifth without victory would be their longest such run since 2019.
Key battle: Midfield dynamo Joe Willock could be the man to step up for Newcastle, as his last two goals came in home wins ‘to nil’ against ‘big-six’ sides.
He’ll likely be marshalled by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who is yet to lose a meeting with the Magpies as a Spurs player (W2, D2).
Hot stat: Newcastle have scored 15 of their 23 home goals in the PL after half-time, while Tottenham have conceded 18 of their 25 away league goals this term in the second half.
