Spurs (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

The 3-0 score line may have flattered Everton slightly on Thursday night, but it was defeat that highlighted our worrying away form in the Premier League.

Yes, our unprecedented injury list and fatigue has hampered us hugely, forcing Eddie Howe to go with the same 10 outfield players in each of our last four games, yet can’t be the one and only explanation. Based on away form alone, we’d sit 16th in the league. That needs to change, but can we recover, reset and respond at Spurs on Sunday?

Ange Postecoglou’s side started the season incredibly. They were flying after winning eight and drawing two of their opening 10 league games. However, injuries, suspensions and a huge dip in form ahs seen them lose four and draw one of their last five, with West Ham’s inflicting their third-straight home defeat on Thursday night.

So, Spurs have suffered a big dip at home, we are struggling to perform away, both sides have injuries and just one point separates us. It’s a massive game for both and particularly interesting to see if Howe tweaks the team, especially with AC Milan to come on Wednesday.

Speaking ahead of the game, here’s what Howe’s had to say:

“We have to be very positive with our approach. We are very keen to move on from this game (Everton) and start to build our away form back to the level it was at last year.

“The games you have with the teams around you always take on more importance. They’re usually tight and entertaining, and we’ve usually been able to raise our performance for these type of games.

“Regardless of how they got on in the week, it was always going to be a really big game for both teams. We’re under no illusions about the importance of this match for us.”

Team news

Jamaal Lascelles should be OK after suffering a dead leg at Everton. It’s hoped Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes and Dan Burn may return soon, but it’s unclear if any could return on Sunday. 

Nick Pope, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy and Matt Targett remain absent with longer term injuries, while Sandro Tonali continues to serve his suspension for gambling.

For Spurs, Son Heung-min will be assessed after he was left in pain after Thursday’s 2-1 defeat, but they’ll be without three key first-team players in James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur. 

Predicted line up

(4-3-3): Dubravka – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento – Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon. 

Does Howe stick with the same 11 that never really got going at Everton or does he mix things up? Thursday’s lacklustre performance suggests he may need to do the latter, but we have so few options to choose from if none of our injured players are in a position to return.

A rest for Trippier could see Tino move to right-back and Lewis Hall come in down the left, I just don’t see our vice captain missing such a massive game. Hall could slot into midfield, but taking Miley out of the side doesn’t make much sense when he was the best of a bad bunch at Everton.

Krafth or Dummett could step in for Lascelles if the skipper can’t play so soon after his dead leg and Hall remains an option Howe could utilise, I just think it’s more likely we see the same 10 outfield players go again in hope we’ll have a few back for Milan next week.

Prediction

We have a habit of responding to defeats when returning to St James’ Park, but there’ll be no home comforts this weekend as the hectic schedule sees us travel to London no sooner had we returned from Liverpool.

A huge game for both sides and an intriguing clash of styles, as Spurs play out from the back at all costs, while we are often at our best when pressing from the front and looking to exploit any spaces left in behind.

A fit and firing Newcastle have what it takes to expose their recent weaknesses, I just wonder what we’ve got left in the tank if the same 10 outfield players are left to go again.  I’ll go for a high-scoring draw and goal from Almiron to make up for his wasteful display in midweek!

NUFC Blog prediction: Spurs 2-2 Newcastle

HWTL!