Spurs v Newcastle United: Match Preview
Newcastle United play their first away match of the Premier League season against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow, and it promises to be an intriguing match.
Both teams are under new management, and Sandro Tonali’s transfer from Newcastle to Spurs was one of the biggest deals of the summer.
Spurs were underwhelming against Brentford, while Newcastle put in a decent performance against Liverpool.
So what can we expect from the match?
Key Battles
Nico Gonzalez vs Matheus Fernandes/Sandro Tonali
This will be a good test for Newcastle’s new signing.
Tonali has played in the deeper number six role so far for Roberto De Zerbi, but as we know from his time on Tyneside, he can carry the ball and play defence splitting passes.
Fernandes is the more natural attacker of the two, but Nico will have to be alert to the threat from both. He and his midfield partner won’t have much time to train together – but then Spurs are in the same boat. Their midfield hasn’t played much together either.
The winner of this battle could simply come down to who makes the fewest mistakes.
Anthony Elanga/Harvey Barnes vs Archie Gray/Andy Robertson
Barnes and Elanga have been two of the best players from Newcastle’s first two matches, so I would expect Matthias Jaissle to unleash them here.
Spurs have problems in defence – Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven are both doubts, which will benefit Newcastle. However, Elanga and Barnes still have the wiley Andy Robertson and Archie Gray to contend with, and that will be an intriguing matchup on both flanks.
If Newcastle can exploit Spurs with their pace, like they did to Liverpool, they will give themselves a real chance in this game.
The Tactical Battle
Jaissle has called De Zerbi one of his biggest influences, but this will be a clash of styles. De Zerbi likes his teams to build up slowly, while Jaissle likes his teams to be on the front foot, pressing.
The danger for Jaissle is that Newcastle’s forwards could get drawn in to Spurs’ half too early, allowing the Lilywhites to break quickly.
He could counter this threat by changing to a more conventional 4-4-2, but as he hasn’t had much training time with his players, he may stick to their usual formation.
After all, it is working right now.
Form Guide
There isn’t much between these two sides going into this game. Spurs have won two of their last six games, while Newcastle have only won one.
Newcastle have the edge in their head-to-head record. They have won two and drawn one of their last three meetings.
Spurs have lost six of their last eight Premier League games against Newcastle, and Newcastle obviously enjoy visiting the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, because they have won more points there than at any other ground.
Possible Newcastle XI
Horníček, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Dedić, Gonzalez, Ramsey, Barnes, Elanga, Wissa, Woltemade.
Prediction
Newcastle 2-2 Spurs
If Newcastle leave too many gaps in midfield, Spurs will take advantage, but the Lilywhites’ defensive frailities may come back to bite them.
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United: Opposition Analysis
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United: Opposition Analysis