Today’s the day. A huge chance to boost our top-four hopes, as Spurs come to St James’ Park in a Champions League six-pointer.
With kick-off just a few hours away, here’s the side we’re backing Eddie Howe to select:
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Willock – Almiron, Isak, Joelinton.
Two changes. Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy out, Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron in.
With Saint-Maximin ruled out and Gordon failing to grasp his chance, it makes sense for Joelinton to play down the left, leaving a space in that midfield three for Longstaff’s return.
The Geordie midfielder was a big miss at Villa and has ‘trained well’ all week. Howe has also defended Dan Burn and questioned if ‘one bad day’ for our usually reliable back five is enough to justify a change. With that in mind, I see the big man from Blyth keeping his place. He has been poor of late, but I can’t see us messing with the best defence in England for our biggest game of the season.
It may seem harsh on Jacob Murphy to bring Almiron straight back into the side, I just feel the Paraguayan can offer the pace, energy and goal-threat we missed last Saturday. He’s our top scorer and could cause havoc with his relentless pressing and runs in behind, especially if he can produce the sort of link up play that saw he, Trippier and Bruno run riot down our right earlier in the season.
I wouldn’t rule out Callum Wilson returning to our XI – he loves to score against Spurs and is often the man for the big occasions at SJP. However, I’m not sure this is the time to change formation in order to accommodate him and Isak? The latter can play down the left, but I see Joelinton and Willock combining down that side in what’s become a tried and tested partnership.
