While it probably should have yielded six points, Tottenham Hotspur has enjoyed a respectable start to the new season after another dominant outing. Spurs were the better team against both Leicester and Everton, and though neither is exactly top-of-the-league quality, it is positive to see good performances out the gate. The ramp-up period is over, however, with a trip to Newcastle United followed by a North London Derby after the international break.
Newcastle could only muster a draw at Bournemouth this weekend after a narrow 10-man victory over Southampton. The hope was for a bounce back after last year’s Champions League-burdened season, but so far the new campaign is not tracking to be any better than another seventh-place finish. It is still very early though, and one match could flip the sentiment at both clubs right now.
Newcastle United (t-5th, 4pts) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (t-5th, 4pts)
Date: Sunday, September 1
Time: 8:30 am ET, 1:30 pm UK
Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle
TV: USA Network (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)
Eddie Howe did not get the expected reinforcements this summer, with most arrivals serving more as depth than pushing the starting XI despite a theoretical massive budget. There is enough talent to push for the European places, but the first couple showings have not convinced supporters that running it back with last season’s core was the best decision.
Still, that might be enough to beat Spurs at St James’ Park. The last two visits have led to 6-1 and 4-0 defeats for Tottenham, so there are some bad associations with this fixture. There was a convincing 4-1 win in North London last December, but most supporters are likely entering this weekend with plenty of hesitation given some of the recent trauma as visitors.
Unapologetically Ange
Even if Newcastle is not exactly an offensive juggernaut right now, this is not the type of outing that should see Spurs eat up 70 percent of the possession like the first two matches of the year. That being said, Ange Postecoglou is not one to react too strongly to an opponent, and that means that the lineup could again feature Dejan Kulusevski in midfield, especially since Wilson Odobert had a solid debut on the wing.
The key to this one will be how Kulusevski (or whoever replaces him), James Maddison, and Yves Bissouma fare against the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, and Sandro Tonali, who returned Wednesday in the League Cup against Forest. This potential Spurs trio should have the upper hand compared to Joelinton, who went from scoring against Southampton to nearly getting sent off against Bournemouth, and Tonali, who has been suspended since last October. A win in midfield would set the visitors up well to go for all three points.
Like sands through the hourglass
The vibes are not great on Tyneside after a very uninspired start to the season. 2021’s Saudi investment led to a fourth-place finish in 2022/23, but aside from that one win over PSG it has not been great. The Public Investment Fund was supposed to push this club into the big six, but instead Newcastle looks like a squad with deadweight and a capped ceiling.
It feels like time is ticking to show this project is actually moving in the right direction. Perhaps Howe and company will take advantage of no European matches — which clearly was a struggle last season — and get back into the top-four hunt. Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, and Anthony Gordon should not be overlooked, but Tottenham has every ability to win this weekend and needs to take advantage of the home side’s form.