Sports Mole

Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are set to meet in an all-Premier League fourth round clash in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.Â

The Magpies head into this match off the back of securing a dramatic late victory against Fulham in the league, while Spurs hammered Everton 3-0 in their last outing.

Here, Sports Mole provides all the details on how to watch this EFL Cup clash.

What time does Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur kick off?

This EFL Cup clash will kick off at 8:00pm UK time on Wednesday evening.

Where is Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur being played?

Tottenham Hotspur will travel north to face the Magpies at St James' Park, the famous 52,409 capacity stadium where Newcastle have won all of their last three clashes with Spurs.

How to watch Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the UK

TV channels

This match will be one of the most widely broadcast fixtures of the campaign on UK television, and will be available to watch live on ITV1 and Sky Sports Main Event TV channels.

Online streaming

Fans can also stream the clash on ITVX for free, or on NOW UK or the Sky Sports+ app with the relevant subscriptions.

Highlights

Key moments such as goals and red cards will be posted on the ITV Football and Sky Sports X (formerly Twitter) accounts, and highlights will be available on the Sky Sports+ app after the final whistle.

Who will win Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur?

Newcastle United have enjoyed their matchups with Tottenham Hotspur in recent years, especially at St James' Park, where they have won all of their last three encounters with Spurs.Â

The Magpies have emerged victorious in five of the last six meetings with Spurs, with Tottenham Hotspur managing a sole victory in that time - a 4-1 win at their home ground.

Spurs will fancy their chances heading into this meeting, though, as Thomas Frank's side are unbeaten away from home across all competitions this season, while the Magpies have already lost three times at their home stadium.

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Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to go head-to-head for the signature of a Premier League England international defender in 2026.

Neither team has been able to match the rearguard might of Arsenal in the early stages of the 2025-26 season, during which the Gunners let in just three goals in their first eight Premier League games.

Mikel Arteta's leaders also did not face a shot on target against either Fulham or West Ham United, leaving them capable of equalling a Premier League record set by Man City themselves in their home fixture with Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, City went into their clash with Aston Villa having already been breached six times in the Premier League, while Spurs - who head to Everton in the afternoon - have conceded seven times in the top flight.

Both sides are now rumoured to be after the same target to bolster their defensive ranks, as TBR Football claims that City and Tottenham have their eye on a deal for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

Man City, Tottenham 'keeping close tabs' on Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa

The 28-year-old has been going from strength to strength in the West Midlands since joining from Brentford in the summer of 2019, the same year that Villa were promoted back to the Premier League.

Konsa is now closing in on 250 appearances for the Lions, whom he has scored 10 goals and provided three assists for in all competitions, playing a pivotal role in their rise to a Champions League-competing team.

The versatile defender - who can function as both a right-back and centre-back - has also now become a regular in England camps and is looking good for a call-up to the 2026 World Cup squad.

As well as Spurs and City - the latter of whom are said to be especially attracted to Konsa's ability to play out wide - the report adds that Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have also been watching the defender over the past year.

Elsewhere in Europe, Inter Milan, Napoli and RB Leipzig are said to be interested in the 28-year-old, who is under contract with Aston Villa until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.

Why are Man City, Tottenham pursuing Ezri Konsa?

As well as Konsa's sporting prowess, Villa's ever-delicate financial situation - especially in relation to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) - is thought to be a factor in City and Spurs' interest in Konsa.

However, there are statistically few better than Konsa when it comes to releasing the ball, as the 28-year-old has completed 93.1% of his passes over the past 365 days, putting him in the top 6% of centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues.

Regarding short passes alone, Konsa's 97% completion percentage puts him in the 98th percentile, while he has only lost 0.14 challenges per 90 - a figure that puts him in the top 5% of defenders.

Tottenham Hotspur's efforts to reunite Thomas Frank with former Brentford striker Ivan Toney could apparently hit a major stumbling block.

The Lilywhites added to their offensive ranks in the summer with the capture of Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, but the Frenchman has been plagued by fitness problems since the summer.

Kolo Muani is yet to make his full debut for the Lilywhites, although he has been tipped to earn his first start for the club in Sunday's Premier League showdown with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Kolo Muani is one of three recognised strikers in Frank's ranks alongside Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, but the former is recovering from ankle surgery, while the latter has scored just once in his last 11 games.

Frank has supposedly also been left unimpressed with the efforts of one particular striker at Tottenham, who are now rumoured to be looking at the market for additional striker options in January.

Tottenham's Ivan Toney 'stumbling block' revealed amid transfer talk

The Europa League winners are apparently ready to fork out a specific amount to bring Toney back to England, where the 29-year-old thrived under Frank during their time together at Brentford.

Toney registered 72 goals in 141 games for the Bees before departing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in 2024, since when he has amassed an eye-catching 39 goals in 57 matches for the Middle Eastern side.

However, Football Insider reports that Toney's wages could be a huge obstacle in Spurs' attempts to sign him in 2026, as he is earning the equivalent of £428,592 a week in Saudi Arabia, according to Capology.

The one-time Newcastle United striker pockets more than double that of Tottenham's two highest earners - Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero - who are both on a reported £195,000 per week in North London.

Toney would therefore have to accept a significant pay cut in order to return to the Premier League with Tottenham, and Al-Ahli are also under no pressure to sell on the cheap given that his contract runs until 2028.

What Ivan Toney alternatives can Tottenham target?

If Toney has ambitions of making the 2026 England World Cup squad, it would not be a complete shock to see the 29-year-old give up his mammoth Saudi wages and return for a second stint in the Premier League under a manager he knows well.

A January loan deal is not beyond the realm of possibility, but Tottenham are not putting all of their eggs in the Toney basket and are reportedly also keeping their eyes on a cut-price alternative.

The report adds that the North London club are at the head of the queue for Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic, who is out of contract in the summer and can enter talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement in January.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has been left unimpressed with the efforts of a big-money attacker since his move to North London, a new report alleges.

The Europa League winners have hit a rough patch under the Dane's management and head into Sunday's clash with Everton boasting just one victory from their last five matches across all competitions.

Spurs were bested 2-1 by Aston Villa in gameweek eight of the 2025-26 Premier League season, before being indebted to Guglielmo Vicario in their 0-0 Champions League draw with Monaco in midweek.

On both of those occasions, Tottenham's attackers failed to fire, as midfield duo Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur combined for the Lilywhites' opener against Villa before Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia turned the tide.

Frank has not been helped by Dominic Solanke's persistent fitness problems, as the former Bournemouth and Liverpool man has struggled with an ankle injury for most of the season, making just three appearances in all competitions this term.

Solanke has totalled just 49 minutes across those three substitute appearances, and the 28-year-old recently underwent an operation to correct his ankle issue, which will rule him out until next month.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank 'unimpressed' by Dominic Solanke

However, Football Insider claims that Frank has been left dissatisfied with Solanke's efforts regardless of his fitness concerns, and the ex-Brentford boss 'does not fancy' the Englishman in the manner that Ange Postecoglou did.

The latter gave the green light to Spurs making Solanke their most expensive signing last summer, when Tottenham paid Bournemouth £65m for his services, and the forward managed 16 goals and eight assists from 45 games in his debut season.

Solanke failed to make the first XI for either of Spurs' opening two Premier League games of the season, though, as Frank sided with Richarlison up front for wins over Burnley and Manchester City - the Brazilian netted a double against the former.

Solanke remains contracted to Tottenham until the end of the 2029-30 season, but the report claims that Frank could try to sign an alternative centre-forward in the January transfer window.

The Scandinavian also has Paris Saint-Germain loanee Randal Kolo Muani at his disposal, but the Frenchman has also been plagued by fitness problems since joining and is yet to make his full debut for Tottenham.

Which strikers could Tottenham sign to replace Solanke?

Only Spurs staff know what is truly going on behind closed doors, but Frank selecting Richarlison to lead the line over Solanke at the start of the season did raise an eyebrow or two, especially given the South American's own fitness concerns.

If Spurs are serious about signing a new striker in 2026, the Lilywhites could supposedly try to tempt Ivan Toney - a former Frank favourite from his time at Brentford - back to English shores from Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.

Arsenal attacker Eberechi Eze has admitted that he was "prepared" to join Tottenham Hotspur before he joined the Gunners in the summer.

Eze was highly sought after in the summer transfer window after scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 43 competitive appearances for Crystal Palace last term.

In fact, the England international etched his name into Palace history when he scored the winner in May's FA Cup final against Manchester City.Â

Eze started the current campaign with Oliver Glasner's charges before he completed a £67.5m move to Arsenal in the latter stages of the summer window.

Eze makes honest admission over Spurs snub

While he may be donning the red of Arsenal, at one stage, Eze appeared to be on course to join their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.Â

The 27-year-old has now conceded that he was willing to join Thomas Frank's side before Arsenal hijacked Tottenham's pursuit to secure his signature.Â

“I was prepared to go to Tottenham, but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them," Eze said as quoted by The Athletic.

Eze spent time in Arsenal's academy before he went on to spend time in the youth systems at Fulham, Reading and Millwall.

The attacker then started his senior career with Queens Park Rangers, and spent time on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, before he joined Crystal Palace in 2020.

Eze is living his dream at Arsenal

Fourteen years after leaving the Gunners, Eze has admitted that he has realised a "dream" by forging a path back to Arsenal.Â

“My first Arsenal game was special. It almost didn’t feel real because it’s something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time,” Eze said.

“Playing for Arsenal from eight to 13, it’s been in the back of my mind wanting to go back. It felt like the realisation of a dream.”

Eze is now preparing to face his former club, with Mikel Arteta's side set to welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.Â

The ex-Palace star is expected to feature in the starting lineup, and while Palace may hold a special place in his heart, he will be looking to score his first Premier League goal for Arsenal in Sunday's fixture.

Tottenham Hotspur have hit a few bumps in the road under Thomas Frank, and a trip to Everton's new fortress for Sunday's Premier League clash will not fill the Lilywhites faithful with optimism.

The visitors head north boasting just one victory from their last five games in all competitions, while the Toffees are yet to suffer defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Match preview

Tottenham's 2024-25 Premier League season could not have ended worse without the Lilywhites suffering an unthinkable relegation, so by that logic, Spurs' current sixth-placed ranking in the top-flight table is already a marked improvement.

However, Frank is already facing the critics after an underwhelming run of just one win from Spurs' last four contests in the Premier League, where their home woes remain very much alive after last weekend's 2-1 beating at the hands of Aston Villa in North London.

Tottenham's latest failure in front of their own fans saw the Lilywhites fall five points behind bitter rivals and current leaders Arsenal, although the gap to third-placed Bournemouth and fourth-placed Liverpool sits at just one point before gameweek nine gets underway.

Furthermore, the visitors' home struggles are in stark contrast to their away-day specialities, as Tottenham are the only team in the Premier League still unbeaten on the road this season, claiming an unrivalled 10 points from 12 on offer.

Spurs could and probably should have lost away from home in midweek, though, but an inspired display in between the posts from Guglielmo Vicario rescued a point - and a first clean sheet in four games - in a 0-0 Champions League draw with Monaco.

The Premier League's finest away side meet one of the division's most dogged home outfits on Sunday afternoon, as Everton are yet to suffer the sour taste of defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, taking eight points from four fixtures at their new headquarters.

Not since the 2016-17 season have the Toffees enjoyed a longer unbeaten home sequence at the start of a new term - they went unbeaten in their first eight at Goodison Park that year - but Everton's home comforts did not translate into a shock away-day success last weekend.

Not the first and certainly not the last team to succumb to Erling Haaland heroics, David Moyes's men were seen off 2-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad in gameweek eight, leaving the Toffees 12th in the standings but within touching distance of the top five.

The more superstitious supporters have particular reason for optimism this weekend, though, as Everton have won each of their last five Premier League matches played on a Sunday, all of which have come under Moyes since his Merseyside homecoming.

The Toffees coincidentally bested Tottenham on a cold Sunday in January, winning 3-2 at Goodison Park to extend an exceptional home sequence against the North London club, who have not beaten the Toffees away from home since December 2018.

Everton Premier League form:

Everton form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

Spurs' troubles can at least be partially attributed to a debilitating injury list, and Frank will be missing no fewer than nine players on Sunday, including recent victims Destiny Udogie (knee) and Cristian Romero (adductor).

The pair join James Maddison (ACL), Ben Davies (muscle), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Kota Takai (foot), Dominic Solanke (ankle) and Yves Bissouma (ankle) in the medical bay, and the latter has just undergone surgery on his ligament injury.

There was no update from Frank on Wilson Odobert's midweek injury in his pre-game press conference, but Mathys Tel is now back at the Dane's disposal and could be a straight swap for his fellow French youngster up front, where Randal Kolo Muani may also be considered for a full debut.

On Everton's end, Moyes will receive possibly the biggest boost he could receive at this juncture, as creative hub Jack Grealish will return to the matchday squad after he was ineligible to face parent club Man City last time out.

Carlos Alcaraz should be the unfortunate soul sacrificed for Grealish, but on a more negative note, Jarrad Branthwaite needs surgery to correct a troublesome hamstring injury and faces an indefinite period on the sidelines.

Nathan Patterson is also likely to spend the next few weeks out due to a combination of a foot problem and a hernia, but the hosts are otherwise in strong shape for gameweek nine.

Everton possible starting lineup:

Pickford; O'Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Simons, Tel; Kolo Muani

We say: Everton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

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Trips to the blue half of Merseyside have been Spurs' kryptonite over the past six years, and given the Lilywhites' patchy form and patched-up squad, there is little to suggest that their dismal sequence will be snapped on Sunday.

Everton's lack of a lethal striker will hold them back as well, but Moyes's resilient men can also capitalise on the visitors' European fatigue to claim a praiseworthy point.

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

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly contemplating whether to make an approach for Al Ahli forward Ivan Toney.

Thomas Frank can claim to have enjoyed a strong start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, recording six wins, four draws and two defeats from his opening 12 matches.

However, with Spurs having recently dropped down to sixth position in the Premier League table courtesy of collecting just five points from four matches, there is still work to do.

With Richarlison, Mathys Tel, Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani all part of this season's first-team squad, Spurs are certainly not short of options down the middle of their attack.

Nevertheless, as per Fichajes, Spurs are open-minded regarding a potential move for one of Frank's former star men.

How is Ivan Toney faring in Saudi Arabia?

Since signing for Al Ahli in August 2024, Toney's performances in the Saudi Pro League have gone somewhat under the radar.

The England international has contributed an incredible 39 goals and eight assists from just 56 appearances in all competitions.

Toney has already won an AFC Champions League Elite title and a Saudi Super Cup during his time with Al Ahli, yet he will always be linked with a transfer back to the Premier League.

In 85 appearances for Brentford in England's top flight, Toney contributed 36 goals and 11 assists, making him an attractive option for clubs in the country.

If Spurs decide to pursue Frank's former centre-forward, they are allegedly willing to pay €60m (£52.14m) for his signature.

While there are still over two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, Al Ahli may be prepared to take the chance to make a substantial profit on his signature.

Which Spurs forwards could leave?

Despite the amount of forwards that Spurs have in their ranks, there is an argument that each of the quartet are not safe in Frank's squad.

Richarlison's contract expires in 2027, Tel was left out of the club's Champions League squad, Solanke is yet to impress due to injury and Kolo Muani is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.

Therefore, the chance to sign Toney on a long-term deal may prove too tempting to turn down, particularly when funds can be generated through sales.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo in the winter transfer window.

The Reds splashed out over £450m in the summer transfer window, recruiting Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni.

However, Liverpool are yet to see a return on their investment on the pitch, with Arne Slot's side struggling to match the high standards of the 2024-25 campaign.

In fact, they will head into Wednesday's Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on the back of a four-game losing run after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

Liverpool eyeing Semenyo as Salah replacement

Mohamed Salah is among the Liverpool stars that has struggled this term, having netted just three goals in 11 competitive appearances this term.

The Egyptian has failed to score in any of his last five Liverpool appearances, with The Mirror reporting that his dip in form has convinced Liverpool to speed up their quest to sign his long-term successor.

The report claims that Liverpool are keen on Bournemouth's Semenyo and are weighing up whether to make a bid in the January transfer window.Â

Liverpool could face competition for Semenyo's signature, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race after making enquiries in the summer.

Semenyo signed a new long-term deal to put the summer transfer interest to bed, but there is believed to be a release clause in his contract.Â

Why are Liverpool targeting Semenyo?

Semenyo impressed for Andoni Iraola's side last season, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists in 42 competitive appearances.

The Ghana international has gone from strength to strength in the opening two months of the 2025-26 campaign, having registered nine goal contributions in as many Premier League matches.Â

In fact, Semenyo is currently sitting in second spot in the Premier League scoring charts after finding the net on six occasions this term.Â

Semenyo scored two of those goals in the opening day defeat to Liverpool, so Slot's side will be more than aware of what the 25-year-old is capable of.Â

Tottenham Hotspur will travel to Stade Louis II to face Monaco in the third matchday round of the Champions League on Wednesday, and Thomas Frank could be missing two key players.Â

The north London club have made a decent start to their 2025-26 Champions League campaign, winning 1-0 against Villarreal and drawing 2-2Â with Bodo/Glimt so far.Â

Spurs suffered their second defeat of the season last week, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa, and will be looking to bounce back to winning ways in the midweek.Â

Ahead of the clash against Monaco, Thomas Frank could miss more key players, as Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie reportedly did not take part in the Tottenham training today.Â

Spurs duo could miss out vs. MonacoÂ

Romero picked up a minor adductor injury in the warm-up of Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa and was removed from the matchday squad.Â

Although he was initially named in Tottenham's starting lineup, the injury forced Frank to withdraw him from the squad, with Kevin Danso replacing him.Â

After the game, Frank confirmed that the injury was not serious and that he expects the defender to recover quickly, but it seems Romero could miss the clash against Monaco.Â

According to a report from football.london, Udogie complained of minor knee irritation after international duty and did not participate in training either.Â

Likewise, versatile defender Davies, who has yet to feature this season for Spurs, has been absent from today's training, adding to the injury woes.Â

Tottenham missing a host of key playersÂ

The mounting injury problems are proving to be a big headache for Frank, who could now be without 10 players on Wednesday night.

Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke are already absent due to injuries, while Kota Takai and Mathys Tel are unavailable as they have not been included in the club’s Champions League squad.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank could create Champions League history for the Lilywhites when they face Monaco in Wednesday's league-phase battle.

The Europa League winners head to the Stade Louis-II boasting a respectable total of four points from six on offer in the 2025-26 UCL, good enough for ninth position in the 36-team rankings.

Spurs returned to the continental big time with a 1-0 win over Villarreal on home soil, before playing out a 2-2 stalemate with Norwegian outfit and Europa League semi-final opponents Bodo/Glimt.

Meanwhile, Monaco - set to play their first Champions League game under Sebastien Pocognoli after Adi Hutter's dismissal - have just one point from their opening two games, drawing 2-2 with Manchester City after an opening 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Club Brugge.

While Pocognoli seeks a winning start in Europe as Monegasques head coach, Frank can achieve a feat that no Tottenham manager has previously managed in the Champions League.

Thomas Frank looking to create Champions League history for Tottenham

Should Tottenham claim at least a point from Wednesday's game, Frank would be the first Spurs head coach to ever go unbeaten in his first three Champions League matches.

Only once before have the Lilywhites navigated their first three games of a Champions League season without suffering defeat, achieving two wins and one draw under Mauricio Pochettino at the start of the 2017-18 campaign.

However, Pochettino suffered defeat in his first Champions League game in charge of Spurs, who coincidentally lost 2-1 to Monaco in the Argentine's maiden top-level European match in the 2016-17 season.

In later years, Jose Mourinho was beaten 3-1 by Bayern Munich during his second Champions League match with Tottenham, before Antonio Conte's Spurs fell to a 2-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon in the Italian's second game.

Ange Postecoglou never took charge of a Champions League match for the North London club, but he did go unbeaten in his first three Europa League matches last season before a matchday four defeat to Galatasaray.

Why Tottenham will not enjoy Eric Dier reunion against Monaco

Monaco's solitary point in the Champions League this season came thanks to a last-gasp Eric Dier penalty against Man City, and the former Tottenham defender would have been on course for a Spurs reunion on Wednesday.

The England international represented the Lilywhites for 10 years between 2014 and 2024, making 365 appearances for the club and scoring 13 goals before departing for Harry Kane's Bayern Munich.

However, Dier is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out until the middle of November, so the 31-year-old will watch on helplessly from the sidelines against his former employers

Meanwhile, Spurs will be missing the injured Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, Kota Takai and Yves Bissouma, while Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero are both major doubts for the contest.

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