Top faces the bottom in the Premier League as Arsenal welcome Southampton at the Emirates on Friday night.
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspurs face in a direct battle for the top four in the Premier League at St James’ Park, separated just by three points.
NUFC vs TOT Match Details
Date: Sunday 22 April 2023
Time: 14:00 (BST), 18:30 (IST)
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle
NUFC vs TOT Match Preview
After going on a five-game winning streak in the Premier League, Newcastle United’s train got derailed at Villa Park when Unai Emery managed Aston Villa beat them 3-0. An Ollie Watkins starring performance in which the striker expectedly tied up Jacob Ramsey before bagging a brace left the Magpies frustrated. The visitors lacked the attacking tooth in the game but whatever chance they created was denied by the ever-present Emiliano Martinez. The usual solidity has also gone with Newcastle keeping just one clean sheet in 11 games in all competition, conceding 16 goals in that period. This defeat cut off their top-four lead to three points with fifth-placed Tottenham, their next opponents in the league visiting St James’ Park. Eddie Howe knows his side will not get a better opportunity to go six points clear of the Champions League places and into third overtaking Manchester United, equalling on points, who are involved in FA Cup semi-final tie with Brighton. Newcastle are also looking to make the double over Spurs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Compare to their counterparts, they will have a much easier run of games on paper after this having played one less than Spurs with destiny in their own hands.
Another game without a victory will make life much more difficult for Tottenham as their chase for Champions League football took a jolt in the dramatic 3-2 loss to Bournemouth last weekend at home. Christian Stellini’s side thought they had rescued a draw through Arnaut Danjuma’s goal in the 88th minute after Heung Min-Son’s 14th-minute lead was overturned by Matias Vina and then Dominic Solanke. However, Dango Ouattara found the net again for his first Premier League goal in the dying seconds for the winner. Spurs will now have to face top-four rivals Newcastle and Manchester United in back-to-back games before travelling to Anfield to face Liverpool next weekend in a challenging schedule. With the off-field issues continuing as Fabio Paratici officially steps down from his managing director role for his ban not being overturned, the club find itself in a mess without a definitive choice of manager made and suffering with inconsistent form in away matches at least. A victory on Sunday will be important to lift the mood moving back to the top four but it is easier said than done against a Newcastle side now holding potential not seen before. Spurs have won their last four trips to St James’ Park with Harry Kane netting six times in total visits. The talismanic striker’s record will be useful here.
Recent Form (Premier League)
NUFC: LWWWW
TOT: LWDDW
NUFC vs TOT Team News
Allan Saint-Maximin has still not gained total fitness from a thigh injury he picked up early this month. The winger will miss the crucial clash against Spurs but is likely to be available from next weekend. His teammate on the opposite flank, Miguel Almiron returned from his injury to feature in the Villa defeat having missed the previous four games for Newcastle United. He is in contention to start the game although has done minimal training ahead of the weekend game.
Clement Lenglet is expected to be back for Tottenham after forced off 35 minutes into the game against Bournemouth for an ‘inflammation under his foot’. The Barcelona loanee was back in training and Stellini is confident he will be available to face the Toon on Sunday. Ben Davies is also close to returning to the squad and is not completely ruled out of the game. Lucas Moura serves the third match of his three-match suspension, while long-term absentees Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon remain out.
NUFC vs TOT Predicted Lineups
NUFC: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock; Miguel Almiron, Alexsander Isak, Joelinton
TOT: Hugo Lloris; Christian Romero, Eric Dier, Clement Lenglet; Pedro Porro, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp, Ivan Perisic; Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane, Heung Min-Son
NUFC vs TOT Head to Head
NUFC won - 60
Drawn - 34
TOT won - 73
NUFC vs TOT Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Pope (7.5)
DEF: Trippier (9), Schar (9), Botman (8.5)
MID: Kulusevski (8.5), Hojbjerg (9), Joelinton (8.5), Perisic (8)
FW: Isak (9), Kane (9), Son (9)
Vice-captain: Heung Min-Son
Captain: Harry Kane
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
