Sports Mole

National League hosts Premier League in an FA Cup mismatch on Sunday lunchtime, where Tamworth will endeavour to pull off a monumental giant killing at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

The fifth-tier Lambs have already eliminated Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion from this year's tournament, while Spurs defeated Liverpool 1-0 in their EFL Cup semi-final first leg in midweek, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both sides.

TAMWORTH vs. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

TAMWORTH

Out: Ben Acquaye (ACL)

Doubtful: Callum Cockerill-Mollett (unspecified)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Singh; Crompton, Libard, Hollis, Fairlamb; McGlinchey, Milnes, Tonks, Williams; Morrison; Creaney

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Rodrigo Bentancur (head), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Cristian Romero (thigh), Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Ben Davies (hamstring) and Richarlison (hamstring)

Doubtful: Fraser Forster (illness)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Kinsky; Gray, Dorrington, Dragusin, Reguilon; Maddison, Sarr, Bergvall; Werner, Lankshear, Moore

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here. body check tags ::

Tamworth's humble 4,000-seater home could be the scene of the next FA Cup giant killing on Sunday lunchtime, when Premier League titans Tottenham Hotspur rock up to the Lamb Ground for a blockbuster third-round tie.

The fifth-tier hosts are one of just two non-league teams still competing for cup stardom, while their revered visitors are approaching the 17-year mark without a major honour next to their name.

Match preview

© Imago

Out to avoid being on the wrong end of a knockout shock on Sunday, Tottenham have already come out on the correct end of one cup surprise this month, controversially edging out Liverpool in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening.

Mere moments after escaping a potential second yellow card for wiping out Kostas Tsimikas, Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall produced the one moment of attacking quality needed to separate the two Wembley hopefuls, giving Ange Postecoglou's men a slender advantage to protect at Anfield next month.

The unforeseen beating of Arne Slot's troops represented an increasingly rare triumph for Tottenham, who only have four wins under their belt from their last 15 matches in all competitions and had gone without a victory in four straight matches before Bergvall's brilliance.

Early FA Cup exits have also been commonplace in North London since Spurs last made it to Wembley for the semi-finals in 2017-18; the visitors have failed to make it past the fifth round in any of their last six attempts, although they have not been eliminated in the third round since losing to North London rivals Arsenal in 2013-14.

Furthermore, the Lilywhites have prevailed in each of their last nine FA Cup contests versus non-league opponents since being stunned by then-Southern League side Norwich City 110 years ago, a run that includes a 5-0 humbling of Marine at this stage in 2021.

© Imago

Even if Tamworth end up suffering the same fate as their fellow non-league foes did four years ago, simply hosting a Premier League powerhouse at the Lamb Ground will represent a momentous occasion for Andy Peaks's men, who have already sent two of the 92 packing in this season's tournament.

After prevailing in a six-goal thriller with Macclesfield in the final preliminary stage, Tamworth defied the odds to eliminate Huddersfield Town in round one, before holding their nerve from 12 yards to get the better of Burton Albion and prolong their magical journey.

The National League side from Staffordshire are not total strangers to the FA Cup third round, having also made it this far in each of the 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2011-12 seasons, but they lost all three of those contests and are therefore yet to earn their maiden fourth-round appearance.

The Lambs do not come into Sunday's historic event with the wind in their sails either, having lost their last two games against Solihull Moors (2-0 in the National League) and Sutton United (1-0 in the FA Trophy); the former result left them languishing in 16th place in the National League table.

Peaks has now masterminded just one win from Tamworth's last six matches across all tournaments, but form is not the be all and end all for occasions such as Sunday's, where the Lambs will be pitting their wits against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup for just the second time after losing to David Moyes's Everton in 2012.

Tamworth FA Cup form:

Tamworth form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Spurs' success over Liverpool in midweek was partially overshadowed by the serious head injury to Rodrigo Bentancur, but Tottenham confirmed at half time that the Uruguayan was conscious and communicating as he was sent to hospital for further tests.

An official update on Bentancur's condition is yet to land, but he will certainly join Spurs' lengthy absentee list for Sunday's game, which Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Cristian Romero (thigh), Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Ben Davies (hamstring) and Richarlison (hamstring) should also be unavailable for.

Fraser Forster is also uncertain owing to illness, but new signing Antonin Kinsky excelled on his debut in the triumph over Liverpool, and Postecoglou will also have James Maddison and Pape Sarr back from suspension at the Lamb Ground.

The Spurs boss may have no choice but to field some senior players this weekend, but expect the likes of Will Lankshear, Alfie Dorrington and Mikey Moore - assuming he is fully recovered from a troubling illness - to make the first XI.

As for the non-league hosts, 25-year-old attacker Ben Acquaye is on the long road to recovery from an ACL rupture, and left-back Callum Cockerill-Mollett was not involved in the loss to Sutton after picking up an injury in the Solihull Moors defeat.

On a brighter note, 6ft 3in centre-back Jordan Cullinane-Liburd made his return from a three-game ban in the FA Trophy defeat, and having started the successes over Huddersfield and Burton Albion, the 29-year-old ought to come back into the first XI for the visit of Spurs.

Tamworth possible starting lineup:

Singh; Crompton, Libard, Hollis, Fairlamb; McGlinchey, Milnes, Tonks, Williams; Morrison; Creaney

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Austin; Gray, Dorrington, Dragusin, Reguilon; Maddison, Sarr, Bergvall; Werner, Lankshear, Moore

We say: Tamworth 0-5 Tottenham Hotspur

An already injury-hit Tottenham side should put out a highly inexperienced attack and defence for Sunday's game, offering Tamworth a sliver of hope that they can pull off the upset of all upsets.

However, Postecoglou's lack of senior options means that he should still field a few players with plentiful experience, and it will surely only be a case of how many the Lilywhites win by.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Liverpool must start Trent Alexander-Arnold on Wednesday against Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final clash, despite the right-back having performed poorly against Manchester United last Sunday, Red expert David Lynch has argued.

Arne Slot's side failed to capitalise on Arsenal's draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday when they drew 2-2 with United, though they are still currently six points clear of the Gunners in the table.

Several Liverpool players underperformed against the Red Devils, though perhaps none more so than Alexander-Arnold, who some accused of not being committed to the club due to Real Madrid's interest in his signature.

Conor Bradley was substituted on in place of the right-back late in the match, but Lynch does not believe Alexander-Arnold's spot in the XI should be in question on Wednesday against Spurs, telling Sports Mole: "The problem Slot has got is that if he does go relatively full strength and Trent isn't in that team, it's not a great look, is it? It [becomes] a commentary on his performance.

"I don't think he can [start Bradley over Alexander-Arnold]. I think he'll look at the Accrington game as a chance to give Conor Bradley minutes as well [and] maybe that nudges him closer to becoming genuine competition at right-back, but with Trent - I think he's going to have to start because he does need to get it out of his system.

"We can't always be focused on the last game. We do that too much in football. Trent's a brilliant player and has been brilliant this season, so I'm sure if he does play - and I expect him to play - that he'll be back to his best, or at least close to it."

A good performance from Alexander-Arnold on Wednesday could help alleviate a lot of the scrutiny he has faced following his side's draw with Manchester United and rubbish claims that he is not committed to the club.

Should Liverpool be confident of beating Tottenham Hotspur?

Liverpool have already faced Spurs away from home this season, beating them 6-3 on December 22 in the league, and there is an argument that the scoreline flattered Ange Postecoglou's side.

Mohamed Salah managed to score twice and pick up two assists without even being at his best, while Dominik Szoboszlai was undoubtedly Slot's best midfield performer.

Lynch was keen to emphasise to Sports Mole just how good an opportunity Liverpool have to reach the final, saying: "[They've] got every chance. I don't think Tottenham's defence is going to be looking any better in terms of personnel. They've got real fitness issues there. I feel a bit for Ange, actually, because I don't think that's been talked about enough as one of the reasons they are so bad at the moment.

"Even if it doesn't end up in a 6-3 hammering, [Liverpool] should still be extremely confident of winning this. Spurs still have all the same issues, you know exactly how they're going to approach it. I think Liverpool should be able to get at them.

"If you can build up a decent first leg lead, it gives you a chance to make, not full rotation for the second leg, but a few changes for that one and mix it up a little bit, particularly with the Anfield factor. It's one that Liverpool should be looking forward to, and especially to get the United game out of the system, so they should have every confidence to get the result there."

Tottenham lost 2-1 against Newcastle United on January 4 in the Premier League, but they were forced to field third-choice goalkeeper Brandon Austin between the posts, and lined up in the second half with midfielder Archie Gray and right-back Djed Spence in central defence.

© Imago

Should Liverpool take the EFL Cup seriously?

With Liverpool ahead in the title race, there is a line of thinking that they should prioritise the Premier League and field considerably weaker teams in the two legs against Tottenham.

However, Liverpool's next game in the league is against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, and the Reds' match against League Two side Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on Saturday seems like a better opportunity for rest and rotation.

Lynch expressed his belief to Sports Mole that Slot can afford to field a full-strength XI due to the kind fixture scheduling, saying: "I saw the League Cup as a competition where Liverpool should continue to rotate to make sure that they don't drive the players into the ground, but actually, the way this has fallen now with the FA Cup game at the weekend, I actually think Liverpool should go full strength to keep the rhythm up.

"Those players [that play against Tottenham can] come back in for the Nottingham Forest game the following week, [and] I think that's the way they should go about it - heavily rotate for the FA Cup."

Should Liverpool advance to the final, they will face either Arsenal or Newcastle United, though it looks as if they would face the Toon given their 2-0 win against the Gunners in the first leg on Tuesday night at the Emirates.

No Data Analysis info

Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool meet in North London in the second of this week's EFL Cup semi-final first legs on Wednesday.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou will be seeking to take the cup off holders Liverpool in order to stick to his promise of always delivering a trophy within two years at all of his clubs, while Arne Slot will be looking to replicate predecessor Jurgen Klopp, who won this competition last season.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs. LIVERPOOL

© Imago

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: James Maddison (suspended), Pape Matar Sarr (suspended), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Cristian Romero (thigh), Ben Davies (hamstring), Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Richarlison (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness), Wilson Odobert (hamstring)

Doubtful: Radu Dragusin (illness), Archie Gray (illness), Fraser Forster (illness)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Kinsky; Pedro Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Son

LIVERPOOL

Out: Joe Gomez (hamstring)

Doubtful: Dominik Szoboszlai (illness)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas; Morton, Endo, Szoboszlai; Elliott, Jota, Nunez

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match .

After making a losing start to 2025, Tottenham Hotspur's injury-hit side will welcome Liverpool to North London in an EFL Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

Ange Postecoglou was without 10 players for the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday, and more players dropped down with issue that afternoon, adding the Spurs manager's headache heading into this crucial cup tie.

The Aussie has made it abundantly clear that he always wins a trophy within two years at any club he has managed, placing huge pressure on him to get it right in this two-legged affair, with resources limited.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Tottenham's very lengthy injury list ahead of the visit of Liverpool, who sit top of the Premier League, and won this competition last season, beating Chelsea in the final.

Destiny Udogie

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: February 16 (vs. Man United)

Udogie was forced off early in the second half with a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw with Wolves just over a week ago, and the left-back is set to miss the next six weeks of action following a scan.

Guglielmo Vicario

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: March 8 (vs. Bournemouth)

Italian international Vicario is "pushing every boundary" in his recovery from a broken ankle, according to Postecoglou, but Spurs' first-choice keeper will be out for another couple of months at least, leading to the club signing Czech stopper Antonin Kinsky this week.

Cristian Romero

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: January 26 (vs. Leicester)

Romero was forced off in the first half of their 4-3 loss at home to Chelsea last month, and remains out with the thigh problem he sustained that afternoon, but a return before the end of January is not beyond the Argentine defender.

Richarlison

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: January 19 (vs. Everton)

Richarlison has missed almost the entire season with injury, breaking down again after a brief return at the end of October, but he is set to overcome his current hamstring problem in the next week or so, according to manager Postecoglou.

Micky van de Ven

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: January 26 (vs. Leicester)

Van de Ven suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury immediately after his return in the defeat to Chelsea back in December, and Postecoglou believes he will not make a comeback until the end of the month.

Wilson Odobert

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

After undergoing hamstring surgery in November, Odobert remains sidelined for the foreseeable future, but he is stepping up his recovery even though no timeframe has been placed on the winger's return.

Mikey Moore

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Illness

Possible return date: January 15 (vs. Arsenal)

Promising teenager Moore has been out with an illness shrouded in secrecy for some time now, and while Postecoglou has been reluctant to comment on the matter, he has revealed the attacker should return in the next week or so.

Ben Davies

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: January 23 (vs. Hoffenheim)

Davies broke down with a hamstring problem during a defeat Bournemouth at the start of December, and the Welshman has suffered a setback in his recovery recently, which will keep him sidelined until roughly the end of January.

TOTTENHAM'S SUSPENSION LIST

Spurs have no players suspended for this clash, with Rodrigo Bentancur available again after serving a one-match ban for yellow card accumulation over the weekend.

No Data Analysis info

With no Premier League fixture until next midweek, Liverpool boss Arne Slot could name a slightly stronger side than expected when they go to North London to face Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Slot has made wholesale changes in all three previous rounds of this competition, and those fringe players have played their part, securing wins over three fellow Premier League clubs.

However, with Accrington Stanley coming up in the FA Cup on Saturday, Slot may hold back on heavy rotation until that game, especially with the chance of reaching a major cup final on the line this midweek.

For the likes of Ibrahima Konate, this could be an opportunity for him to build his fitness up after being thrown in at the deep end against Manchester United on Sunday, following over six weeks out.

Three players still set for a rest though, are Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch, arguably the most important players in their title charge so far.

For the likes of Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas, they will hope to use this fixture as a springboard to return to the starting XI in the Premier League, chiefly for the Greek left-back, with Andy Robertson performing below his usual standard this season.

Most of the headlines on Sunday surrounded Trent Alexander-Arnold's performance though, so Slot will be glad to have Conor Bradley back from injury in order to take the Real Madrid-linked man out of the line of fire, especially with Joe Gomez currently out injured.

Gomez is Liverpool's only injury absentee at present, because Dominik Szoboszlai will return shortly after being struck down with a virus over the weekend, and could be brought in if he is able to recover.

A fifth booking of the season for Darwin Nunez at the weekend has triggered a Premier League suspension, so with the Uruguayan set to miss the clash with Nottingham Forest next week, he is likely to start here, after also doing so, and scoring, in the previous round against Southampton.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas; Morton, Endo, Szoboszlai; Elliott, Jota, Nunez

Click here to see how Spurs could line up for Wednesday's semi-final.

No Data Analysis info

Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups  Sports Mole

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has delivered an update on the fitness of defender Sven Botman ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Botman has not played for the Magpies since suffering an ACL injury in March last year against Manchester City, and since undergoing surgery has been working his way back to full fitness.

The 24-year-old returned to full team training last month and played for 60 minutes in an Under-21s fixture against Chelsea on December 16 - his first appearance in nine months.

Ahead of this weekend's trip to North London, Howe has revealed that Botman is in contention to make his long-awaited first-team return and is even "in and around my thoughts" to start.

Newcastle will be without Fabian Schar who is serving the first of a two-match suspension, while both Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles remain sidelined with respective shoulder and knee injuries.

One of Botman or Lloyd Kelly is therefore expected to start in central defence alongside Dan Burn; a start for Kelly would see Howe select two left-footed defenders, while a start for right-footed Botman would provide a greater balance to his backline.

Botman in contention to start for Newcastle vs. Spurs

Speaking about Botman at a press conference on Friday, Howe said: "I always said Sven will be in and around the Christmas games. He has worked incredibly hard to get himself into a good condition. He has had three games, he is in and around my thoughts.

"I will have to make a decision on who best fits that position, but it is great to have Sven back around. If Sven is in the squad, it is because he is fit and ready."

Asked if he would be worried about throwing Botman straight back into the starting lineup, Howe added: "No, you go through a process with the type of injury that Sven has had, he's done an incredible amount of work. It's not like he hasn't had the training time with us.

"We've taken maybe longer than we would have done with respect for injury he's had and so he hits the ground running. I've got a decision to make in terms of team selection but, if Sven's in the squad, it's because he's fit and available."

On Kelly and his lack of first-team opportunities since joining from Bournemouth in the summer, Howe said: "They have [been limited] but that's down to the form of the lads who has played. He's a versatile player who can play in a lot of positions.

"The form of Dan and Fab in the heart of defence has been strong, especially recently. I prefer to keep a settled back four and not change too much. I think that area of the pitch is about building relationships. Lloyd is training hard, training well and he's waiting for his chance."

Two Premier League teams heading in opposite directions renew hostilities on Saturday lunchtime, as Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United do battle in North London.

Ange Postecoglou's men failed to win any of their last three top-flight games in 2024, most recently being held to a 2-2 draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers to remain in the bottom half of the Premier League standings.

On the other hand, the Magpies made it five wins on the spin in all competitions with a 2-0 beating of Manchester United on December 30, moving to within touching distance of the Champions League spots in the process.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 171

Spurs wins: 74

Draws: 34

Newcastle wins: 63

From the first 15 meetings between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United - which coincidentally took place over a 15-year spell from 1905 to 1920 - the North London giants conquered their counterparts from the north on just one occasion.

However, Spurs now boast the overall bragging rights against the Magpies, winning 74 of their 171 competitive matches in all tournaments, in addition to suffering 63 defeats and playing out 34 draws.

The most recent meetings between the two top-flight stalwarts have seldom gone Tottenham's way, though, as they have been defeated in four of their last five Premier League head-to-heads, including at St James' Park in their first game of the 2024-25 season.

Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak condemned Tottenham to a 2-1 defeat in that September encounter, although for Spurs, that was still an improvement on their heavy 4-0 loss in April 2024 and humiliating 6-1 slaughter at St James' Park under Cristian Stellini in 2023.

Tottenham's only triumph over Newcastle from their last five Premier League affairs was emphatic in its own right, though, as the Lilywhites crushed the Magpies 4-1 at home in December 2023, where Richarlison helped himself to a brace.

Goals are a guarantee when Tottenham and Newcastle square off in the top flight, as not a single one of their 59 Premier League meetings has finished 0-0, making it the most played match to never end goalless in the history of the competition.

Spurs and Newcastle's last battle outside of the Premier League was an EFL Cup quarter-final in 2014-15, which Spurs won 4-0, but the Magpies prevailed in their most high-profile knockout battle, a 1999 FA Cup semi-final where Alan Shearer netted twice in extra time.

Shearer is coincidentally the highest scorer in matches between Tottenham and Newcastle with 11 strikes against the Magpies, one more than Spurs legend Harry Kane managed in this fixture.

Previous meetings

Sep 01, 2024: Newcastle 2-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Apr 13, 2024: Newcastle 4-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 10, 2023: Spurs 4-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 23, 2023: Newcastle 6-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Oct 23, 2022: Spurs 1-2 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 03, 2022: Spurs 5-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Oct 17, 2021: Newcastle 2-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Apr 04, 2021: Newcastle 2-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Sep 27, 2020: Spurs 1-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Jul 15, 2020: Newcastle 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Aug 25, 2019: Spurs 0-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Feb 02, 2019: Spurs 1-0 Newcastle (Premier League)

Aug 11, 2018: Newcastle 1-2 Spurs (Premier League)

May 09, 2018: Spurs 1-0 Newcastle (Premier League)

Aug 13, 2017: Newcastle 0-2 Spurs (Premier League)

May 15, 2016: Newcastle 5-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 13, 2015: Spurs 1-2 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 19, 2015: Newcastle 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 17, 2014: Spurs 4-0 Newcastle (League Cup Quarter-Finals)

Oct 26, 2014: Spurs 1-2 Newcastle (Premier League)

Last 10 Premier League meetings

Sep 01, 2024: Newcastle 2-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Apr 13, 2024: Newcastle 4-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 10, 2023: Spurs 4-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 23, 2023: Newcastle 6-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Oct 23, 2022: Spurs 1-2 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 03, 2022: Spurs 5-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Oct 17, 2021: Newcastle 2-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Apr 04, 2021: Newcastle 2-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Sep 27, 2020: Spurs 1-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Jul 15, 2020: Newcastle 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Read more on Spurs vs Newcastle

Potentially on the brink of full-blown crisis mode, an ailing Tottenham Hotspur side commence proceedings for 2025 at home to Newcastle United in Saturday's early Premier League kickoff.

Ange Postecoglou's side could only take a point off of Wolverhampton Wanderers in their final game of 2024, while the Magpies made extremely light work of a meek Manchester United.

Match preview

Barely a year on from taking the most points of any manager in their first 10 Premier League games, Postecoglou's job is under the most threat it has ever been, as the North London crop ended 2024 with a meagre three wins from their last 13 matches of the calendar year.

Since hitting Southampton for five without reply in mid-December, Spurs have accrued just one point from a possible nine in meetings with Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers, the latter of whom salvaged a 2-2 draw on December 29 courtesy of a late Jorgen Strand Larsen intervention.

After coming within two points of Champions League qualification last year, Tottenham are rank outsiders to even make it into the Conference League, residing in the bottom half of the Premier League table and mathematically closer to the relegation zone than the top four.

Defeat on Saturday is not expected to trigger Postecoglou's dismissal, but it is believed that an EFL Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Liverpool - which would severely dent the Australian's hopes of fulfilling his second-season trophy prophecy - could gave Daniel Levy serious food for thought.

Ahead of the first leg of that encounter with the Reds next week, Postecoglou endeavours to end Spurs' pitiful five-game winless sequence on home soil in the Premier League; not since 1994 have they experienced a longer run without a top-flight success in North London.

Only a few years ago were Spurs competing for a spot at Europe's elite table while Newcastle languished in the bottom 10, but the roles are now reversed, and Eddie Howe's side are seriously threatening to upset the top-four apple cart amid a fabulous run of festive form.

One of just two teams to have won each of their last four Premier League matches - alongside surprise package Nottingham Forest - Newcastle followed up consecutive triumphs over Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town with the most straightforward win they may ever march to at Old Trafford.

Alexander Isak and Joelinton flaunted their aerial dominance in the first half to conquer a feeble Man United side, thereby cementing Newcastle's fifth-placed standing in the Premier League table, and the gap to Chelsea in the final Champions League spot is now just three points.

After keeping a paltry three clean sheets in their first 15 Premier League matches of the season, the visitors have now registered four shut-outs in their last four victories, rediscovering the rearguard steel that initially made them such a force to be reckoned with a couple of years ago.

Also establishing a reputation as one of Tottenham's most feared opponents, Newcastle have beaten Saturday's hosts in four of their last five Premier League encounters, although the one aberration in that sequence was a 4-1 mauling in this exact fixture last season.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Newcastle United Premier League form:

Newcastle United form (all competitions):

Team News

The Tottenham medical team welcomed another new face into the already-packed infirmary on December 29, as Destiny Udogie sustained his second hamstring injury in the space of a few weeks and will certainly be unavailable for the visit of the Magpies at the very least.

Postecoglou will at least have Djed Spence - a like-for-like Udogie replacement - back from suspension, but Rodrigo Bentancur is now banned for his own accumulation of yellow cards, opening up a spot in midfield for Pape Sarr to fill.

Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness), Richarlison (hamstring), Cristian Romero (thigh), Wilson Odobert (hamstring) and Ben Davies (hamstring) remain out of contention too; the latter was initially on track to return around this time before suffering a setback.

Postecoglou and Howe can empathise with one another over losing key cogs to suspension, as Fabian Schar picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the win at Old Trafford and will also sit on the naughty step on Saturday.

Schar is set to be one of at least five defensive absentees for the Magpies alongside Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Nick Pope (knee), Emil Krafth (shoulder) and Sven Botman (knee), although the latter is now playing behind closed doors again and could make his long-awaited comeback imminently.

Kieran Trippier appeared to hurt his hamstring in the win over Man United as well and should therefore cede his place to Tino Livramento, while Callum Wilson is still several weeks away from returning from a hamstring issue.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Spence; Kulusevski, Sarr, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Dubravka; Livramento, Kelly, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Newcastle United

Not one of the previous 59 Premier League meetings between Spurs and Newcastle has finished goalless, and that sequence should not be snapped at a ground where Tottenham have both scored and conceded in their last eight top-flight games.

While the Lilywhites are backed end the Magpies' stellar streak of clean sheets, the hosts' ravaged defence should be ruthlessly exposed by their bogey team Newcastle, who have our vote to prolong Postecoglou's misery and enhance their top-four credentals.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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