Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United – Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur face an in-form Newcastle United at White Hart Lane, as the north London club attempt to cement their current fourth place in the Barclays Premier League. With Spurs having closed the gap on Chelsea considerably, it is not beyond the realm of possibly that Tottenham could be sat in third place in the league after this week’s fixtures have been completed.
On the other hand, many Spurs fans are ruing the fact that Tottenham did not go for a striker in the January transfer window. With Jermain Defoe ruled out for some time, and no other obvious centre-forward options available to Andre Villas-Boas, Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to lead the Tottenham line for this game, despite the fact that he is still currently in Africa. It’s possible that Adebayor won’t start, and that Clint Dempsey will play instead, but the American is more comfortable in a more withdrawn role, and will seriously weaken the Spurs line-up should line leading responsibilities be placed upon his shoulders.
Newcastle were probably the most active team in the transfer window in January, with the world’s twentieth richest football club splashing out on numerous French players. Thankfully for everyone at St. James’ Park, this has paid off immediately, with two handsome victories over Aston Villa and Chelsea to celebrate. In addition, the performances of the new signings, particularly the midfield player Sissoko who has been likened to Yaya Toure, have been very encouraging, and the remainder of Newcastle’s season could yet be very rewarding, with European football to look forward to.
Newcastle are likely to field several of their new signings against Tottenham, and Hatem Ben Arfa may be fit enough for the bench. Tottenham have been a formidable side at home this season, and may fancy their chances of three points here, but with their striker crisis potentially harming their chances, Newcastle may feel that they’re in with a very good chance of nicking at least a point. At least Spurs can boast an embarrassment of riches in midfield, with two of the league’s most in-form wide men in the shape of Bale and Lennon, and Scott Parker back to partner the likes of Dembele and Holtby.
Tottenham Hotspur (possible 4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Dembele, Parker; Lennon, Holtby, Bale; Adebator
Newcastle United (possible 4-2-3-1): Krul; Debuchy, Taylor, Coloccini, Santon; Tiote, Cabaye; Gouffran, Sissoko, Gutierrez; Cisse
Betting Prediction: This is set to be a tough game for Spurs, with Newcastle having hauled themselves up by the coat-tails over the last couple of weeks with two excellent results. Particularly in the win against Chelsea, new signings like Sissoko and Debuchy particularly impressed, and with Ben Arfa possibly back on the bench against Tottenham, the Newcastle team looks to have a rather formidable appearance to it. Tottenham are short of strikers, and Emmanuel Adebayor might be negatively affected by rushing back from Africa to appear in this match. So I’m tipping a draw for this particular game, and if you want to go for a correct score prediction, then I would go for a 1-1 draw.
