The Carabao Cup winners take on the Europa League holders - but this ugly clash will be far from a glamour game
Managers Thomas Frank and Eddie Howe shake hands during the Premier League match
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Thomas Frank is adamant that Newcastle United have not lost their "intensity" as he prepares to do battle in the Premier League's desperation derby.
Back in August, Newcastle faced off against Spurs in Seoul in an exhibition game in the Far East in front of 64,773 fans. However, while the TV cameras will be in place in North London, the game is hardly top of the bill on the midweek fixture card with rival sides streets ahead of them in the European race.
The Danish boss swapped Brentford for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer and while Newcastle's form has been poor, Frank's team are in a worse position and have an inferior record. It's just seven top-flight wins on the board for Spurs from 25 games.
And the word relegation battle has even been brought to the table at Frank's Press conferences of late. When asked his views on Newcastle, Frank said today: "I think every Premier League game is a battle. It is the most physical, competitive, and relentless league in the world.
"Newcastle are very physical and intense in the way they play. It is a coach [Eddie Howe] I admire a lot.
"He has been part of transforming the club and making sure they didn't go down. Then you can see they have the second year they have experienced in the Champions League. It is not easy to play the Champions League and Premier League."
The game has been dubbed a desperation derby and Frank does not argue with that assessment. He said: "There is no doubt we are desperate to win games. Desperate. I am focusing on Newcastle.
"That is a great opportunity ahead of us against a good team. That is the main thing.
"Not everything has been perfect, but the ability to run and fight has been very good. We desperately need them because when you're in a situation when it is not going straightforward, you need the fans even more."
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