Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Discover how AI analysis sees Newcastle United’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League playing out.
NewcastleWorld Essential: Your weekly round-up packed with everything you need to know from our great city.
Sign up
Thank you for signing up!
Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NewcastleWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
Submitting...
Like it or loathe it, we live a world where AI - or artificial intelligence - is creeping into every corner of society.
Long gone are the days of predictive text or autocorrect being your only daily dalliance with an industry that was formerly resigned to the big screen or fiction.
Now, it’s in everything, and can do virtually everything, too - including, it seems, predict Premier League football results.
So, we asked X’s own AI, Grok, to get its crystal ball out and predict what would happen as Newcastle United travel to North London to take on Tottenham Hotspur. And here’s what it said.
The context
Quite rightly, the AI takes note of what seems to be a tricky situation for Ange Postecoglou, with Spurs not only in the midst of an injury crisis, but also having to deal with a sickness bug ripping through the squad ahead of the clash (kick-off 12.30pm).
It states: “Tottenham Hotspur will host Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 4, 2025. Tottenham has been struggling with form and injuries, while Newcastle comes into the game with a strong recent run of form. “
Nothing out of the ordinary, there. Newcastle have won their last five, four of which have been in the Premier League. In that quartet of victories, they’re yet to concede a goal, too.
And the home side have a whole host of key players either out injured, banned or potentially ill.
It goes on: “Tottenham Hotspur are facing a significant injury crisis, with key players like Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven doubtful or out. Their recent performances have been inconsistent, with only one win in their last five matches. The absence of their first-choice goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, along with several defenders, adds to their woes. However, their attack, led by Son Heung-min, remains a threat.”
On the Magpies, who currently sit fifth in the top flight, it says: “Newcastle United are in better shape, especially after securing four wins in their last five Premier League games. Despite missing some players like Fabian Schar due to suspension and doubts over Kieran Trippier's fitness, their squad depth seems to be holding up. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have been in fine form, contributing significantly to their recent victories. Newcastle's defence has also been solid, conceding the fourth-fewest goals in the league up to this point.”
The prediction: THFC ? NUFC ?
Despite taking into consideration Newcastle have lost two of their last three games in this neck of the woods, conceding nine goals in the process under Eddie Howe, Grok fancies the Magpies to keep up their recent form with yet another impressive win on the road, just days after ending their Old Trafford hoodoo.
It says: “Newcastle United to win 2-1.”
Reasons for the result?
“Newcastle's superior form with recent victories over strong teams like Manchester United. Tottenham's defensive vulnerabilities due to injuries, which might be exploited by Newcastle's potent attack. While Tottenham's home advantage and attacking prowess could see them score, their defensive issues are likely to cost them the match.
“This prediction considers both teams' current states, with an acknowledgment that football can be unpredictable, and one moment can change the game's outcome. However, based on available data, Newcastle seems to have a slight edge.”