Looking at this Newcastle team v Spurs.
Eddie Howe’s side looking to bounce back from the Premier League defeat to Brentford on Saturday.
That loss to the Bees a third defeat in a row for Newcastle United.
If United win, they will go seven points above Spurs in the Premier League table.
Whilst at the same time, Eddie Howe and his players could then start looking up the table once again, hoping to potentially close on clubs above.
As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Brentford three nights ago:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Willock, Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Wissa
On Monday, Eddie Howe said that Joelinton definitely won’t make this Spurs match. However, he raised the possibility of Anthony Gordon and/or Lewis Miley potentially returning to the matchday squad, that depending on how they were physically on Monday in training.
Joelinton, Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth all definitely not involved tonight.
Taking all of that into consideration…
This is my predicted Newcastle team v Spurs:
Pope, Miley, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Willock, Gordon, Elanga, Woltemade
If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean five changes for Eddie Howe compared to the team that started against Brentford.
With coming in – Burn, Miley, Gordon, Elanga, Woltemade
Dropping out – Trippier, Thiaw, Wissa, Barnes, Murphy
Obviously this depends on both Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley having recovered enough from their injuries, but if they have done, they start for sure.
Trippier looked knackered on Saturday and Miley set to come in at right-back, whilst Gordon certain to start for me as well. I thought Newcastle really missed his pace and willingness to run at the opposition. Plus, Archie Gray has been having to fill in at right-back due to injuries and could struggle against pace.
Speaking of pace, I think surely Anthony Elanga to start as well. He was one of our better players when brought on against Brentford and has recently started to look the part, whilst that superb solo goal against Man City will have boosted his confidence.
Yoane Wissa struggled on Saturday and whilst Nick Woltemade has dipped in form since a great start to his Newcastle career in the early months, I think he can bounce back to form tonight and get more joy against a Spurs side that allow the opposition more space and time on the ball. Only two weeks ago Big Nick played really well against PSG and no reason to be writing him off just yet!!
Not sure whether Dan Burn wasn’t 100% physically on Saturday when named on the bench but I fancy him to start alongside Sven Botman. Malick Thiaw needing a break I think, as mental fatigue affected him (in my opinion) against Liverpool and he wasn’t great against Man City. Then whilst overall he did well, along with Botman, against Thiago and Brentford, yet more evidence of that mental fatigue affecting him as he failed to cover when Brentford scored their winning goal.