Tottenham vs. Newcastle: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Tottenham Hotspur host Newcastle United on Sunday facing a more challenging test than they may have anticipated prior to last weekend.
Newcastle's 2-0 win over Liverpool was the ideal response from Steve McClaren's side after being thrashed 5-1 by former manager Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace the previous week. Though the beneficiary of some good fortune—a deflection aiding Georginio Wijnaldum's opener, a goal against them being wrongly disallowed—the Magpies earned their much-needed three points with a decidedly improved performance.
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Carrying on where they left off is something of which McClaren has been keen to emphasise the importance.
"We need to follow (Liverpool) up at White Hart Lane," the head coach said, per Dominic Scurr of Newcastle's official website. "We have been reiterating what we did against Liverpool and what we need to do to give a good performance against Spurs."
After two Premier League draws in a row, Tottenham returned to winning ways in the Europa League on Thursday. An energetic and confident performance dispatching Monaco 4-1 and sealing top spot in Group J.
"The players gave a very good performance and we showed that we have a very strong squad," Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino told his club's official website. "We showed a winning mentality this is something we need to keep for the whole season."
Pochettino is aware that continuing that process will be easier said than done against an opponent that could be revitalised after their recent morale-booster.
"I think they believe more than before, the victory gave them more confidence and it is for that we will expect a very tough game against a very tough side like Newcastle."
Date: Sunday, December 13
Time: 4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET
Venue: White Hart Lane, London
TV Info: Sky Sports 1/Premier League Extra Time (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go/NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Form Lines
| Tottenham Hotspur | Newcastle United |
| Europa League, December 10: Monaco (H)—Win: 4-1 | Premier League, December 6: Liverpool (H)—Win: 2-0 |
| Premier League, December 5: West Bromwich Albion (A)—Draw: 1-1 | Premier League, November 28: Crystal Palace (A)—Loss: 5-1 |
| Premier League, November 29: Chelsea (H)—Draw: 0-0 | Premier League, November 21: Leicester City (H)—Loss: 0-3 |
| Europa League, November 26: Qarabag (A)—Win: 0-1 | Premier League, November 7: Bournemouth (A)—Loss: 1-0 |
| Premier League, November 22: West Ham United (H)—Win: 4-1 | Premier League, October 31: Stoke City (H)—Draw: 0-0 |
Team News
As expected, Tottenham are still without Ryan Mason and Alex Pritchard. The news that Mousa Dembele is not available is a blow given the midfielder's strong recent form.
Clinton Njie will not get the chance to follow up on his best display in a Spurs shirt yet against Monaco after suffering a knee problem.
Newcastle could field the same side as against Liverpool with Rolando Aarons, Jamaal Lascelles and Cheick Tiote still their only absentees.
Predicted Lineups
Indeed, it is possible McClaren will stick with the same starting XI that defeated Jurgen Klopp's in-form Reds at St James' Park.
Their first clean sheet in over a month gives a defence that had been much maligned prior to Liverpool's visit some much-needed breathing space. Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba looked a more assured central pairing than against Palace previously, full-backs Paul Dummett and Daryl Janmaat protecting the flanks with more success too.
Vurnon Anita and Jack Colback seem likely to continue in central midfield—though the former is one booking away from a suspension, per the Football Association. Last week's two-goal hero, Wijnaldum, is all but a definite starter from a left-wing base, with Mousa Sissoko probably the man to take up position in right-midfield.
McClaren could look to bring Ayoze Perez back into proceedings in attack—though that would be harsh on Siem de Jong, who provided a sharp and tidy presence in the hole for a good hour last time out.
Papiss Cisse could feasibly make way for the Spaniard should McClaren decide to field a more flexible front line. Then again, the striker's forward high, predominantly central presence was important in ensuring Liverpool did not have it all their own way at the back. His efforts might have been enough for him to retain his place.
After resting Jan Vertonghen for Monaco, the centre-back will almost certainly return to partner his fellow Belgian Toby Alderweireld. Also back will be full-backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker, resuming first-team duty after their midweek break.
Dembele's absence will probably mean Dele Alli dropping back into central midfield proper besides Eric Dier. The two resuming their earlier partnership at least for now probably trumping the possible use of fit-again Nabil Bentaleb.
After struggling to break down West Bromwich Albion in last week's 1-1 draw, Heung-Min Son is likely to return in attacking midfield alongside Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela. Pochettino will hope the Dane can join the others in replicating the fluidity of movement and quickness of thought that so thoroughly dismantled Monaco.
At the head of these attacking plans will be Harry Kane after the striker was given a rare watching brief on Thursday.
Tottenham Hotspur Player to Watch: Jan Vertonghen
Vertonghen getting the night off against Monaco was probably overdue. The Belgium international had started every match since mid-September.
There was an argument to be made prioritising Alderweireld's fitness/freshness would have been wiser given his compatriot is one booking away from a domestic suspension. But after a tough outing against West Brom, allowing Vertonghen to regather himself had its merits too.
The central defender was targeted more effectively by Baggies striker Solomon Rondon than anyone had since Riyad Mahrez and Leicester City in August.
Engaged both on the ground and aerially—the forward won three of their five duels here, as tallied by Squawka—Vertonghen was barely allowed a moment's rest. He struggled to contain Rondon and was often left battling to ensure little was made of these individual contests.
It is testament to the Spurs man's great form since that Leicester game that Spurs have rarely been troubled by the front men he has crossed paths with. Rondon's directness undoubtedly unsettled Vertonghen, though, and it will be worth noting how (or if) he regroups for the challenge posed by Cisse, Perez or whomever Newcastle select.
Newcastle United Player to Watch: Georginio Wijnaldum
For all Newcastle's hard work throughout the team against Liverpool, Wijnaldum was the clear difference between them earning a decent point and the potentially revitalising the three they did secure.
Obviously so, given it was he who scored their goals (or in the case of the first, fired the deflected shot that tagged Martin Skrtel with the own goal). But it was the midfielder's initial willingness to make those runs into the box that gave the Magpies the fighting chance they needed. A sign of life among those black and white shirts after their apathetic succumbing to Crystal Palace a week earlier.
Such daring and positivity will again be needed if they are to get something at White Hart Lane. While De Jong, Sissko (his assist for Newcastle's second was superb) and others will be required to contribute to this in any scenario save for a smash-and-grab, it is Wijnaldum who has proved himself his side's most capable instigator.
Spurs have dealt well with other teams' creative stars this season, the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling sufficiently restricted (bar the odd chance at least). After hurting Chelsea, Norwich City and Liverpool in previous television-scheduled games, they will need to pay similar attention to Wijnnaldum.
Key Battle: What Questions Can Tottenham Ask of Newcastle's Defence?
Newcastle keeping out Liverpool was down to them paying the Reds attack the kind of respect they had failed to give Crystal Palace's.
There were hints of the poor concentration that plagued them at Selhurst Park. Notably in a vulnerable period following their opener when Daniel Sturridge blazed wide, and a similarly free Alberto Moreno had a goal disallowed. Dejan Lovren might also have done better with a late header shortly before Wijnaldum's match-sealing goal.
Overall, though, they looked a group well aware they could not afford to defend in such a porous fashion again.
Coloccini and Mbemba spent less time ball-watching and actually paid attention to opposition runs. Dummett and Janmaat were not torched so gruesomely out wide, standing their ground better while receiving more solid backing from midfield and inside.
Organisation will be the key to them not being pulled apart by a Spurs side who, back home at the Lane, will surely attempt to make their visitors uncomfortable quickly.
If it does not happen straight away, do not expect the intensity to drop. Pochettino will have seen Palace come back from a goal down to comprehensively overwhelm Newcastle.
It is from there McClaren's side must keep their shape and maintain focus. So long as they can put Spurs on the back foot for a spell or two, they may just be able to frustrate the home team and perhaps catch them out.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Tottenham win: 8-1
Newcastle win: 1-3
Draw: 17-4
