Tottenham Hotspur will hope to climb into the top half of the Premier League table when they host Newcastle United in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Spurs have had a real rollercoaster of a season, recording some wonderful wins but also suffering some shock defeats.
The situation has been exacerbated by an injury crisis at Tottenham which has left Ange Postecoglou without most of his senior centre-backs, along with key players in other positions.
Postecoglou, speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, provided an update on Spurs’ injury situation and who should soon be back in action.
Tottenham duo Richarlison and Mikey Moore expected to return ‘by next week’
Postecoglou, speaking to football.london, revealed that Destiny Udogie’s hamstring injury will rule him out of action for around six weeks.
The Tottenham manager also confirmed that none of the currently injured Spurs players are back yet, and he also revealed that an illness bug left some of his squad unable to train.
However, Postecoglou also confirmed that Richarlison and Mikey Moore look like “the next cabs off the rank” and should hopefully be back by next week.
The Tottenham boss also said Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero should be back by the end of January.
“Destiny his hamstring,” said Postecoglou. “Looks around six weeks for him.
“We lose Bentancur suspended. None of the injured ones are back yet. We’ve had a bit of an illness bug with a few not training.
“At this stage Richy and Mikey Moore are the next cabs off the rank, we’re hoping next week. Ben, Micky and Romero all kind of around the same time, back end of January.”
Tottenham v Newcastle pundit predictions
Paul Merson reckons Tottenham will fall to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle.
“With the way both teams are playing, I have to go with a Newcastle win here,” said Merson.
“I know Manchester United aren’t great, but I thought Newcastle were brilliant in that 2-0 win. They are flying at the moment and I don’t expect this game to be any different.
Sutton has also backed Newcastle to win, claiming Spurs will fall to a 2-1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“Newcastle’s form is incredible, with five wins on the spin in all competitions. They have scored 16 goals in those games, with only one conceded,” Sutton said.
“Tottenham, in contrast, are on a poor run of results – although they did not perform badly in their defeat by Nottingham Forest or in their draw with Wolves last time out.
“This is going to be a great game and, while I think Spurs will score, I just can’t go against Newcastle at the moment.”