Sunday’s Premier League action will round off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with an exciting encounter between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. Most new betting sites are now predicting a top five finish for Tottenham with a top four spot likely, although many of these betting odds can change quickly in less than a month.
Eddie Howe’s side headed into March’s international break in rough shape, suffering a brace of 1-0 defeats to Chelsea and Everton after going unbeaten in their previous nine league outings (W6, D3).
Although the Magpies look safe and sound in the bottom half of the Premier League table, they will be keen to get back to winning ways and maintain a nine-point lead on 18th-placed Watford.
Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur
Back-to-back two-goal margin triumphs over Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United have helped Tottenham put an action-packed 3-2 defeat away to Manchester United behind.
Antonio Conte’s men have been too hot to handle in the front third of late, noticeably scoring 2+ goals in each of their last five Premier League matches (W4, L1).
However, Spurs can ill-afford to rest on their laurels as they still trail fourth-placed Arsenal by three points, with the Gunners boasting a game in hand.
Having won just once in their last seven top-flight meetings with Newcastle at home (D1, L4), Tottenham will feel lucky to be taking on the Magpies amid a purple patch.
Newcastle United
Howe’s men have restricted Spurs to one goal or less in their last seven Premier League H2Hs in the capital, which has been the case in their last 11 league outings overall.
Another identical achievement in London would see Newcastle equal the club’s second-longest run of Premier League games in which they conceded under 1.5 goals.
But the Magpies have struggled against Tottenham since ensuring Premier League promotion in 2017, going winless in eight of their nine league H2Hs (D2, L6).
With five of Newcastle’s last six Premier League away fixtures yielding a full-time margin of under 1.5 goals, Howe’s team will likely give Spurs a run for their money this weekend.
Newcastle United Team News
In an interview with The Independent, Howe admitted he is taking a cautious approach with star players Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson as they continue their recoveries from long-term injuries.
“They’re both serious injuries, both enough to obviously be operated on and go through a very intense rehab period,” the Magpies boss said.
“But with both injuries, I do think we have to be very cautious. We don’t want to re-injure the player.”
Jonjo Shelvey should be ready for Newcastle’s trip to London after skipping a 1-0 defeat at Everton due to injury.
Meanwhile, Jamal Lewis and Isaac Hayden remain long-term absentees.