Tottenham’s disappointing performance at The Hawthorns was firmly put behind them on Thursday night, having sealed their passage from the Europa League group stages in style by dispatching AS Monaco 4-1.
They turn their attentions to a Newcastle side who celebrated an unlikely smash and grab victory over Liverpool, meaning they travel to White Hart Lane in their highest spirits all season.
Although that isn’t particularly saying much when you consider how poor they’ve been.
Last Sunday’s victory still wasn’t enough to lift them out of the relegation zone, but a win this Sunday could see them potentially go as high as 14th.
A big incentive for The Magpies who have won on their last two league visits to the Lane.
Tottenham
Erik Lamela was the hat-trick hero in midweek as he continues his renaissance under fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino.
The winger netted his fifth, sixth and seventh goals of the season and was a big thorn in Newcastle’s side when Spurs won 3-1 at St James’ Park last season.
With Tottenham continuing on their impressive 14-match unbeaten run, they’ve have to run hard and press their opponents into the ground to keep up such a feat; but last week’s drab performance against West Brom suggests Pochettino’s young side are starting to feel the strain.
However, both Nacer Chadli and Nabil Bentaleb returned from injury against Monaco and although are unlikely to start against Newcastle, provide welcome depth to a midfield that has seen very little chop and change.
Harry Kane sat out Thursday’s match and will be restored to the line-up for Sunday, but with Spurs and in particular Lamela showing that goals can come from other areas of the team, that will provide welcome relief to a man under pressure to repeat his heroics from last season.
Dele Alli and Eric Dier will provide the midfield axis ahead of a backline that picks itself. Christian Eriksen will most likely start from the wide left and Mousa Dembele will provide support to Kane in the hole.
Newcastle
What a difference a win makes. From being absolutely battered by Crystal Palace in a humiliating 5-1 defeat, a solid 2-0 win over Liverpool, eased the pressure on Steve McClaren, but not enough to get him out of the woods.
The Magpies have conceded a whopping 30 goals, the joint-most in the league, so it’s no doubt where their problems lie.
Although capable of scoring at least one goal, they look even more capable of conceding two.
Newcastle’s back four has not been good enough; Fabricio Coloccini has failed to organise and lead his back-line as captain and Chance Mbemba has struggled to make the step up from Anderlecht.
The jury remains out on whether Paul Dummett is a Premier League player and Netherlands international Daryl Janmaat may be good going forward, but this season hasn’t been at his best in his own area.
Newcastle’s lack of hunger and desire makes them so easy to turn over. As soon as one goal goes in, there’s a fear it could be a rout.
The lack of organisation and solidity has completely destroyed Newcastle.
Their only saving grace is the form of Georginio Wijnaldum, who despite being stationed on the left-hand side, has still maintained his goalscoring touch.
His movement is superb and one area where Spurs are weak at the back is their inability to deal with movement and runners from deep.
The former PSV midfielder is capable of adding to his seven strikes this season, two of them from last weekend, but with himself and Mousa Sissoko unnatural wide midfielders, they will leave a lot of space in behind for Spurs to exploit their out of form full backs.
Prediction: Tottenham need to get back to winning ways in the league and a brittle Newcastle side, although buoyed by last Sunday’s win, should be unable to deal with Tottenham’s energy.
Tottenham 2-0 Newcastle
