Premier League: Precious Points at Stake in Sunday Showdown

Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United

The Premier League is back for the final run-in and the next seven weeks should be exhilarating exciting and, if you support some of the clubs at the coal face, exhausting!

This contest is one such fixture which has plenty riding on it and, while Newcastle United are all but safe after a fine run since the turn of the year, three points in the capital – where they have traditionally struggled – would surely seal it.

The big-spending Tynesiders must be relishing putting their new found wealth to the test in what will be the first summer transfer window since their Saudi Arabian backed takeover was completed.

First though, they have to secure top flight safety and victory at Champions League-chasing Spurs on Sunday would be further proof they are can make their mark against the big boys.

Talking Points

If the truth be known, the Geordies’ manager Eddie Howe would also welcome a victory on a personal note. That’s because he has a dismal record against the north Londoners, losing all five Premier League away games as Bournemouth manager versus Spurs by an aggregate score of 16-2.

Furthermore, the Magpies have tasted victory only once in nine league clashes with Spurs since returning to the Premier League in 2017.

And if you really are looking for omens, their solitary point from eight away fixtures this season against teams in the top half of the table came in a 1-1 draw at West Ham in February.

For visiting fans looking for brighter news, Spurs have won just two of their past seven Premier League home games against Newcastle whose overall Premier League record of 22 wins in this fixture is bettered only by their 23 victories against Aston Villa.

On the team news front, left-back Ben Davies is set to be available for the hosts after he returned to the club following Wales’ international success over Austria as a precaution.

Oliver Skipp and Ryan Sessegnon are still absent though and due to return to training next week.

As for Newcastle, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and Fabian Schar have both trained after withdrawing from international duty due to illness and injury respectively.

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is back in contention, while frontman Callum Wilson remains out.

When Wilson sustained a long-term injury during the festive period, things looked bleak on Tyneside.

Then the January transfer window arrived and the squad was strengthened significantly with the arrivals of ex-Spurs man Kieran Trippier (£13.5 million from Atletico Madrid), Chris Wood (£25m from Burnley), Bruno Guimaraes (£33m from Lyon) and Matt Targett on loan from Aston Villa.

In truth, Newcastle have never looked back and, while they have lost a bit of sparkle since Trippier was injured, overall they look a much-improved unit and have not conceded more than once in any of their last 11 Premier League matches, letting in eight goals in total.

That means they are well on their way to a great escape following a nine-match unbeaten run, albeit one fuelled by spending their rivals can not dream to match.

On saying that, Howe’s side have lost their most recent two Premier League games 1-0, conceding last-gasp goals.

And with Spurs having won four of their past five league games, including impressively at Leeds, they are the team in form and expected to create more Premier League highlights in the keenly contested race for a top four finish.

It’s the inconsistency which must infuriate their fans and boss Antonio Conte who has overseen nine wins and eight defeats in 17 matches in all competitions in 2022.

Only Brentford and Everton have lost more than Spurs this year, with nine defeats apiece.

Yet the Lillywhites can win three consecutive matches for the first time since October with victory on Sunday.

With Harry Kane now directly involved in 25 or more goals in eight consecutive seasons and his partner in crime, Son Heung-min, netting eight goals in his last eight top-flight home appearances, the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds are firmly stacked in Spurs’ favour.

History

Spurs have 72 victories to their name against Newcastle who have been on the winning side 59 times with a further 34 draws.

Their very first meeting came in the second round of the 1905 FA Cup in a draw at White Hart Lane before Newcastle ran riot in the replay.

Goals from Tanguy Ndombele, Kane and Son fired Spurs to a 3-2 win on Tyneside earlier this season.

The corresponding fixture last term ended 1-1 when a 90^th minute Wilson penalty earned the visitors a point in a game Spurs, who took a first half lead through Lucas Moura, dominated.

Betting Tip

I think Spurs will edge past Newcastle in a close encounter and I also expect them to lead at the break so my ** tip is First Half Asian Handicap Spurs -0.50 @ 2.17.

 

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