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Newcastle vs Tottenham - Premier League: Eddie Howe forced into two changes from Fulham victory, as Spurs look to increase their grip on a top-four spot

7 months ago 46

By Harry Bamforth

Published: 11:00 BST, 13 April 2024 | Updated: 11:57 BST, 13 April 2024

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Will Spurs secure a top-four finish?

Spurs have been extremely up and down this season, but there is no denying that they are a fantastic team.

Going into today Spurs sit in fourth level on points with Aston Villa, but with a better goal difference and a game in hand.

You feel they are now in pole position for a Champions League spot and a win today would do them a whole lot of good.

Even with a tough run-in, it's theirs to lose.

'Bench a concern for Newcastle'

Craig Hope, Mail Sport, at St James' Park:

I said this before Everton last week, but the bench would be my concern from a Newcastle perspective. Games now are won and lost with 15/16 players, not 11. And Newcastle (again) have very little to turn to in reserve.

Atmosphere building

Newcastle fans are some of the best in the country.

I'm surprised that I'm yet to see a fan with their shirt off yet, it's April, so there are bound to be a few.

You can feel the buzz around the ground already!

Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - April 13, 2024 Newcastle United fan outside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - April 13, 2024 Newcastle United fan outside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

Isak to wreak more havoc on Spurs?

Alexander Isak, what a player.

In the 6-1 pasting Newcastle handed out to Spurs last year, Isak was the standout for me, netting two goals in two minutes.

The Swedish striker has already netted 15 goals this season in only 23 games, five more than he managed last campaign.

I said to my colleague that I believe he is the best signing in the Eddie Howe.

What do you guys think, is he?

 Alexander Isak of Newcastle United (14) arrives for the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on April 13, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Spurs Team News - Bentancur STARTS

Rodrigo Bentencur is back in the Tottenham starting line-up.

He is the only change to the side that beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 last week.

Is this 11 strong enough to pick up ll three points today?

Newcastle Team News - TWO changes

Eddie Howe makes just the two changes from the side that beat Fulham last week.

Elliott Anderson and Harvey Barnes come into the starting 11 for the injured Joe Willock and Lewis Hall - who is benched.

Tino Livramento is also a shock inclusion as he is fit enough to be named on the bench.

I must admit, that's a fairly strong attack, despite the injuries.

Both teams are in the house!

This is when anticipation really starts to grow.

Both teams have now arrived at St James' Park and we are just minutes away from the team news.

It will be interesting to see what Newcastle side starts today, it's not like they have too many options to choose from.

 Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on April 13, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

 James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur looks on whilst inspecting the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on April 13, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - April 13, 2024 Tottenham Hotspur's Timo Werner on the pitch before the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

Eddie Howe: '6-1 was a special game for us'

Eddie Howe, Newcastle boss, speaking on Friday:

That was a special game for us, everything clicked. We were devastating in attack, we were ruthless. One of those days you get rarely in football where everything went our way.
This is a totally different Tottenham team now. I admire them tactically, and physically, I think Ange [Postecoglou] deserves big credit with how his philosophy has been implemented and with the speed it has.

 Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe during the Newcastle United Press Conference at the Newcastle United Training Centre on April 12, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.  (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

A day Geordies will never forget

You didn't have to wait long.

If you're a Tottenham fan, you may want to scroll past this post, but you won't want to if you're anybody else.

In this very same fixture last season we saw the very best of Eddie Howe's Newcastle and the very worst of managerless Tottenham.

The Magpies were relentless, shipping six past a hapless Spurs, with five of those goals coming in the first 21 minutes.

It was a match that showed the gulf in class between the two sides at the time and is one that will live long in the memory of both sets of fans.

Surely we won't get a repeat of that today, will we?

  Newcastle United's Alexander Isak scores his sides fourth goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on April 23, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)

epa10587668 Alexander Isak (2-L) of Newcastle celebrates with teammates after scoring the 5-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur in Newcastle, Britain, 23 April 2023.  EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications

 Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejected during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on April 23, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Ange Postecoglou: 'This year has been tough on Newcastle'

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham boss, speaking on Friday:

Certainly, there is a cautionary tale there that getting into the Champions League also means greater demands.
Demands on players, demands on the squad and you have to be geared up for it or else it can affect all parts of your season.
It has been tough on Newcastle this year because the progress last year was fantastic, the reward for that was the Champions League and this year for whatever reason it has made it a really challenging season on all fronts for them.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ian Tuttle/Tottenham Hotspur FC/Shutterstock (14432110v) Ange Postecoglou manager of Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur Men's Team Press Conference, Hotspur Way Training Centre, Enfield, UK - 12 Apr 2024

A happy hunting ground for Spurs...usually

Tottenham love a trip to St James' Park, most of the time.

The north London side have come out on top in six out of the last nine meetings between the two sides in the northeast.

However, those results probably aren't in the mind of the current Tottenham squad, but one will be.

You know which one iI'm talking about, but you'll have to wait a little longer for that post.

Not too long though...

  Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur is mobbed by team mates after scoring their third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on October 17, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Newcastle seek to shock Spurs

Would it be a shock if Newcastle were to win today? I think it would.

I say this just because of the Magpies' injury problems, not because they aren't good enough to do it.

In reality, if Tottenham want to leapfrog Villa into the top four by the end of the season, they have to win here today.

Spurs still have to play all of the top three sides, they have a really tough run-in, but they can't waver their focus away from today.

It's a huge game for both sides and could determine where they end up finishing this season.

You won't be able to keep your eyes off this one.

 Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Joelinton and Lewis Miley of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 10, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The push for Europe continues!

Is football back already?

You've got to love the final run-in, the football is non-stop which is perfect for people like me who adore the sport.

If you're the same, you're going to love what the Premier League is serving up in the early kick-off as Tottenham travel to St James's Park seeking revenge after last year's horror show (I reckon the Newcastle fans will be smiling right around now).

With both teams gunning for Europe in their own way and in a stadium that is notorious for creating an intimidating atmosphere, I think this is going to be very enjoyable, don't you?

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, make sure you don't miss this one, you'll regret it otherwise.

Let's get stuck in!

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alex Morton/Tottenham Hotspur FC/Shutterstock (14432048i) A general view of St James' Park ahead of kick off Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Football, St James' Park, Newcastle, UK - 13 Apr 2024

Key Updates

  • Spurs Team News - Bentancur STARTS

  • Newcastle Team News - TWO changes

  • The push for Europe continues!

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