It really felt like the Jose Mourinho–Nuno Espirito Santo–Antonio Conte stretch was rock bottom for Tottenham Hotspur, but apparently, we are still hanging out in that valley. 2024 was a historically bad year for Spurs, and avoiding another dismal stretch in 2025 will require a massive turnaround. Ange Postecoglou is not in a good place right now, and a visit from fifth-place Newcastle United does not seem likely to improve the mood.
I continue to believe that prioritizing non-Premier League competitions is the way forward at this point, especially with Wednesday’s League Cup semifinal first leg increasing in importance. However, Postecoglou cannot afford to punt on this weekend’s match with Spurs’ entering the new year down in 11th. While a top-four finish is a distant dream, Tottenham must do something to fix this unacceptable table position.
Tottenham Hotspur (t-11th, 24pts) vs. Newcastle United (5th, 32pts)
Date: Saturday, January 4
Time: 7:30 am ET, 12:30 pm UK
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
TV: USA Network (US), TNT Sports 1 (UK)
Newcastle enters this match in excellent form, just three points off fourth place after four consecutive victories in which they outscored opponents 13-0. This stretch includes quality wins over Villa and United and raises the defense to fourth-best in the league in terms of goals allowed. For Tottenham’s inconsistent attack, this is an ominous prospect.
With the calendar turning to January, this is the first opponent Tottenham has faced twice in the league this season. Newcastle won the reverse fixture at St. James’ Park back in Matchweek 3; that match saw Spurs equalize through a comical Dan Burn own goal, only for Alexander Isak to punish the high line with a clinical finish to secure all three points for the Magpies.
Resolving to be resolute
Tottenham’s biggest issue continues to be the defense. Even if many losses have been narrow rather than blowouts, Spurs concede far too frequently — and at the worst possible moments. Early goals, late collapses, and individual errors have plagued this team, and there is no quick fix, even with full health. Postecoglou’s aggressive system requires a solid defensive foundation to work, and figuring this out must be a top priority in the new year.
Newcastle seems primed to exploit these weaknesses. Isak (12 league goals) is a constant threat, while Joelinton, Anthony Gordon, and Jacob Murphy have been contributors in recent weeks as well. Look for the fullbacks to stretch Tottenham’s back line, and set pieces will remain a significant danger. It might only take a single defensive breakdown or two to compromise the outcome.
Whose terms?
Spurs have scored the second-most goals in the league this season, but their output against top defensive sides (Arsenal, Bournemouth, Newcastle, etc.) has been limited. The exception was a chaotic three-goal display against Liverpool, but the big deficit and opponent’s style make it an outlier. With Toon not conceding a league goal in a month, this is a bad situation.
If this becomes a low-scoring affair, the odds favor Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s side is compact and organized, forcing opponents to break them down. The creative burden will fall once again on Dejan Kulusevski, but Tottenham desperately needs James Maddison to step up in 2025 as the player who can unlock defenses. Spurs would benefit from chaos and a high-tempo match, but Newcastle will likely make this a grind and look to capitalize on any defensive mistakes.