Key events
Thomas Frank speaks to Sky Sports. “Micky [van de Ven] is a super-important player … but this is the fourth game in ten days … we make sure to keep the freshness … the players have never been fitter in the last three years than they are now … we are positive … we believe we can get something from the game and win up here … it demands a top performance against a super-good team … we need to bring the energy … bravery … composure on the ball … I expect a super-tight game … it will be at times quite open but I expect a super, super-tight game.”
There are two other Premier League games being played tonight. Bournemouth host Everton while Manchester City travel to Fulham. Both of those have just kicked off, and Will Unwin is your man for up-to-the-minute news of those … plus an additional La Liga treat by the looks of it. We spoil you rotten.
Newcastle make two changes to their starting XI after the 4-1 win at Everton. Sandro Tonali and Jacob Murphy come in for Anthony Elanga and captain Bruno Guimarães, who both drop to the bench.
Spurs make four changes to their starting line-up following the Fulham fiasco. Brennan Johnson, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and captain Cristian Romero return; Archie Gray, Richarlison, Micky van de Ven and João Palhinha are benched.
The teams
Newcastle United: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Miley, Tonali, Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes.
Subs: Ruddy, Schar, Gordon, Elanga, Willock, Alex Murphy, Guimaraes, Ramsey, Neave.
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Danso, Udogie, Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall, Kudus, Muani, Johnson.
Subs: Kinsky, Joao Palhinha, Simons, Richarlison, Tel, Gray, Spence, Odobert, van de Ven.
Referee: Thomas Bramall
VAR: Paul Tierney
Preamble
After that debacle against Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and their insta-beleaguered boss Thomas Frank are in desperate need of a spirit-replenishing result. We wish them all the best with that tonight, as they’re about to face a Newcastle United side high on life after walloping Everton, in a fixture they’ve recently lost 2-1, 4-0 and 6-1. Throw in the fact that Newcastle have won five of their last six in the league against Spurs, and that they’ve not lost a midweek league match at home since 2021, a run that stretches back ten games, and Spurs are up against it all right.
Rhythmically, and in search of balance, this would be the point at which we trot out some stats to offer Spurs hope. But they’re in short supply. While Newcastle tend to enjoy midweek league fixtures, Spurs most signally do not: they’ve won just one of their last 13, losing the last seven on the bounce. And then there’s Eddie Howe’s personal record against Frank: he’s won six of eight. But hey, personal hoodoos are there to be broken – Howe did exactly that himself against Pep Guardiola the other week – so rule nothing out. And despite all the negative mood music accompanying Spurs, when it all comes down they’re still ahead of the Toon in the Premier League standings. All to play for, then. Kick-off at St James’ Park is 8.15pm GMT. It’s on!
