Prediction: Tottenham vs Newcastle

Verdict: Tottenham win to nil 

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Bet365

Making a return to North London after their lively encounter at the Etihad last weekend, Spurs will welcome Newcastle to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Tottenham

Starting with the hosts, while Tottenham may have been outplayed for large spells away at defending champions Manchester City last weekend, Spurs did manage to pinch a controversial 2-2 draw and Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate for his side to build off of that result. Looking to secure a fifth consecutive top-four finish, the Lilywhites will be glad to make a return to their new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after opening their Premier League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. Yet to find a similar level of performances that helped them reach the final of last seasons Champions League, the former Southampton boss will have some worries over his sides recent defensive issues. Sunday’s hosts have recorded just a single clean sheet in their last 14 matches across all competitions. If Spurs are to make any surprise title charge in North London, then Pochettino will be looking for Harry Kane to build off of his bright start to the season. The England skipper bagged a brace against Villa in his last appearance on home soil and should be looking to exploit Newcastle’s sluggish start.

Team News

Tottenham have Heung-min Son available again after he missed the opening two games of the season through suspension. Dele Alli is back in training, but Tanguy Ndombele is out after suffering a thigh strain in training.

Newcastle

As for the visitors, putting in a very worrying display in their 3-1 loss away at a returning Norwich last weekend, the mood in Newcastle’s camp is at a worrying low. With many still disappointed to have seen former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce replace Rafa Benitez over the summer, the Magpies have lost each of their opening two Premier League matches and many in the North East feel their side could be at the heart of a relegation scrap this season. With a 4-0 victory over a relegated Fulham their only top-flight win since the middle of April, Sunday could prove to be another extremely tough test. Even more worrying for a Newcastle side in the midst of a real struggle, the Magpies also hold a very worrying record against Sunday’s hosts. Suffering a 1-0 defeat when the two sides met back in February, Bruce’s men have lost each of their last four matches against Spurs and have not recorded an away victory in North London since 2015.

Team News

Newcastle forward Joelinton is fit despite sustaining a knock to his hip against Norwich. Allan Saint-Maximin is also expected to feature after missing the trip to Carrow Road, but Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle are still absent.

Key Factors to Consider

• Tottenham have won each of their last four matches against Newcastle, recording three clean sheets.
• Newcastle have lost their opening two Premier League matches.
• Harry Kane has scored six goals in his last eight matches on home soil.
• The Magpies have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their last six matches.
• Newcastle have not won a match away in North London since 2015.

Conclusion

While Tottenham may have failed to completely find their form at the start of the new season, Spurs should be confident of extending their unbeaten run against a Newcastle side who are drastically struggling to adjust to life under new boss Steve Bruce. With Pochettino’s side recording three clean sheets in their last four matches against the Magpies, we’re backing a routine victory for the Lilywhites on Sunday.

Verdict: Tottenham win to nil 

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Bet365