Newcastle United

The Magpies head to North London looking to extend their terrific recent run which has lifted them to fifth in the Premier League table, just three points off a place in the top four.

Dutch centre back Botman has been working his way back to full fitness following a serious knee injury, and played 60 minutes for United's under-21s against Chelsea last month - his first outing since March 2024.

At head coach Howe's pre-match media briefing on Friday morning, he was asked about the likelihood of the 24-year-old returning to the squad for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as well as a host of other topics including Spurs, Jacob Murphy's form and his own Manager of the Month nomination. Here are some of the main talking points:

On whether Botman could return to the Magpies' squad...

"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."

On being shortlisted for the Barclays Manager of the Month for December...

"It's always good to be in the mix. It means you have a had a good month, and it was a good December for us. Let's try and make it a good January too."

On Ange Postecoglou's Spurs...

"It's a difficult game, it is always a tough match - they are a very good creative team. They have a very good way of playing which is tough to play against.

"Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal - this is a challenging period (for us), but the way we have started that, we are delighted.

"It will be an exciting game - historically, we have had some good games against them. The challenge is to nullify what they do and then impose ourselves on them, and try and continue our good form."

On United's recent winning run...

"We have produced some very good performances - everything has really clicked.

"We have looked a good attacking side, but I think the most pleasing thing with the recent run is how well we have protected our goal. Defensively, we have been brilliant. We have had a lot of control in that respect."

On the challenge of continually improving...

"There's always room to improve, you have to believe that, and I do genuinely believe that. We are playing a lot better, playing with confidence and freedom and expressing ourselves in the right way.

"These next few games will challenge us, but we will need to rise to those challenges and respond in the right way."

On Jacob Murphy's form, which led to his EA Sports Player of the Month nomination...

"Jacob has done really well. Goals and assists is what every attacking player needs in their games.

When is the match?

Saturday 4 January, 12:30 GMT.

How can I follow the match live?

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports. Supporters in other countries can check their local Premier League broadcaster schedule here.

Supporters can also listen to BBC Radio Newcastle commentary across newcastleunited.com and the Official Newcastle United App with a Newcastle United Account.

Our Match Centre will provide minute-by-minute updates, as well as all the key stats. Fans can also chose their Player of the Match at full-time.

Match updates will be provided across the club's social media accounts. Follow them here: X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Threads

When can I watch highlights?

Highlights will be available on newcastleunited.com and the Official Newcastle United App two hours after the full-time whistle.

Extended highlights will follow from midnight, with a full match replay the following day.

What's the Newcastle team news?

Eddie Howe will provide an update to the media from 09:30 GMT on Friday 3 January. Supporters can watch live on newcastleunited.com and the Official Newcastle United App .

What's the Spurs team news?

Rodrigo Bentancur will miss the match through suspension. Spurs are without Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, and Destiny Udogie through injury.

Djed Spence is available again after suspension.

Which kits will be worn?

We will wear our away kit, featuring navy and burgundy shirts, with white shorts and white socks.

Tottenham will wear their home kit, with white shirts with navy blue sleeves, navy blue shorts, and white socks.

Form Guide

Tottenham Hotspur (11th, 24 points) - LWLLD

Newcastle United (5th, 31 points) - LWWWW

Form is displayed with the most recent fixture on the right

Last five meetings

Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham (September 2024, Premier League)

Newcastle 4-0 Tottenham (April 2024, Premier League)

Tottenham 4-1 Newcastle (December 2023, Premier League)

Newcastle 6-1 Tottenham (April 2023, Premier League)

Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle (October 2022, Premier League)

Opposition stat leaders

Goals

Assists

Chances created

Stats to wow your friends

Tottenham vs Newcastle is the most played Premier League fixture never to finish 0-0 (59 meetings). There have been 189 goals scored in games between the sides, the third highest scoring fixture in Premier League history.

Having achieved a Premier League double over Spurs in just one of 12 campaigns between 2008-09 and 2021-22 (2015-16), Newcastle could now do so in two of the last three (also 2022-23).

Alexander Isak scored 25 Premier League goals for Newcastle in 2024, with only Alan Shearer in 2002 scoring more in a single year for the club (27). Overall, Isak’s 43 Premier League goals for the Magpies are bettered only by Shearer (148), Callum Wilson (47) and Peter Beardsley (46).

Anthony Gordon has been directly involved in a goal in each of his last four Premier League appearances for Newcastle United (1 goal, 3 assists), assisting in each of his last two away games against Ipswich and Man Utd.

The Magpies travel to the capital for their first game of 2025, targeting a fifth consecutive Premier League victory in the process, and this will be the second time Madley has officiated a fixture involving United this season.

The 41-year-old, who refereed last season's Emirates FA Cup final, oversaw Newcastle's thrilling 3-3 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool last month and handed out seven yellow cards at St. James' Park that evening, booking Nick Pope and Sandro Tonali.

The Huddersfield-born official, older brother of former Premier League referee Bobby, has taken charge of seven Premier League fixtures so far this term and shown a total of 33 yellow cards and one red card, sending off West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus during the Hammers' 4-1 defeat against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Games (all competitions): 12

Yellow cards issued: 48

Red cards issued: 2

Assistants

Assistant referees: Nick Hopton and Craig Taylor

Fourth official: Lewis Smith

VAR: Chris Kavanagh

Willock netted the opener for the Magpies in the Carabao Cup second round clash after just 18 seconds, but was later withdrawn at the City Ground where United progressed after winning the penalty shoot-out.

But speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League visit of Tottenham Hotspur (kick-off 1:30pm BST), Howe revealed that an initial scan had brought "relatively good news" - but added a further scan would take place to fully determine the nature of the injury.

The United head coach also spoke about Kieran Trippier's international retirement and the challenge posed by Ange Postecoglou's Spurs this weekend. Here are some of the main topics up for discussion in Friday morning's media briefing:

On the extent of Willock's injury…

"Joe had a scan yesterday, an early scan. It is relatively good news.

"I don't think it is a serious injury, but it is early, so we will re-scan again in a few days again just to confirm that."

On Spurs…

"Tottenham have been very good - they continue to be a team I like to watch, a very attractive style, fluid. They have recruited well and signed some really talented players.

"They were good last year, but I think they will be even better this year. I think we always have entertaining games against them. For us, we need to make sure we get on top of the details."

On the start to the season…

"There are no easy games. We have done well to get four points so far as we have not been at our absolute best. Against Tottenham, we are going to have to be at our very best to get something from the game."

On Sandro Tonali, who made his long-awaited return to action in midweek…

"I was so pleased to see the support for Sandro. You could feel the warmth and the genuine love and affection.

"You can see the outpouring of love from Sandro to the fans at the end. He would have loved being back out there."

On Trippier's decision to retire from international football…

"We back it totally. It is a time for celebration, for what he has achieved with England. He's an outstanding player.

Harvey Barnes' half-volley had given Eddie Howe's side a half time lead at St. James' Park, but by the time Dan Burn turned Brennan Johnson's effort into his own goal on 56 minutes the visitors looked the likelier side to snatch a winner.

But instead it was the Magpies who prevailed, as Jacob Murphy teed up Isak to roll home a winner with 12 minutes left and maintain United's 100 per cent win record at home this term.

A relatively cagey first half began with the hosts in the ascendency. Isak robbed Son Heung-min on the right and looked to loft one into the box, but his cross-shot ended up clipping the crossbar. Another swift break led to Barnes cutting in from the left and whipping a shot just beyond the post, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario beaten.

Spurs had the ball in the net soon after, with Cristian Romero nodding in a James Maddison cross from the right, but it was ruled out; the centre back was well offside. It preceded a spell of pressure from the visitors, though - Nick Pope was twice called into action to deny Pape Matar Sarr, who thumped two goalbound efforts his way from 25 yards. Both were well kept out by the England stopper, who was recalled to the Three Lions' squad earlier this week.

Eight minutes before the break, Howe's men made the breakthrough. It was a brilliantly-taken goal from Barnes, who met Kelly's tempting cross from the left, guiding a first-time finish into the far corner to give United a lead they held until the break.

A timely Radu Dragusin challenge prevented Isak from shooting after the restart, with the Swedish forward's appeals for a penalty waved away. At the other end, Spurs - who had threatened only sporadically up to that point - wasted a golden opportunity when substitute Johnson's deflected cross found Wilson Odobert at the far post, but he somehow missed the target from close range.

Ange Postecoglou's side were firmly on top in the second half's opening exchanges. They could have levelled before they did, when Pedro Porro's delivery almost caught the Magpies out as it crashed off the woodwork. But it felt as though a Spurs response was coming, and in the end it came in disappointing fashion for Newcastle. Maddison's shot was pushed away by Pope, but only as far as Johnson, whose attempt at full stretch was inadvertently turned in by Burn in a last-ditch attempt to clear it off the goalline.

Howe sent on Murphy for Barnes and after some neat work from Isak and Anthony Gordon, the winger tested Vicario, forcing him to save smartly at his near post. The introduction of Sandro Tonali brought a terrific reception from United fans, but Spurs continued to dominate. Only the backtracking Bruno Guimarães prevented Son from tapping in after Johnson's breakaway, while Pope again made two crucial saves - first from Maddison's 20-yarder that was heading for the top corner, and then from Porro's dipping drive from similar range.

But against the run of play, Newcastle mustered a winner with a fine move, which started with Joelinton in his own half. His sharp turn and through ball released Murphy, who unselfishly squared the ball for Isak to tap into an empty net and make it two home Premier League wins in as many games for Howe's unbeaten side.

Ben Parkinson, who made his Premier League debut for his boyhood club during last season's away clash against AFC Bournemouth in November 2023, opened the scoring at the Lamex Stadium against a Spurs side who lifted the Premier League 2 title last term.

The visitors then held firm to record an impressive victory and clean sheet in Hertfordshire, moving into sixth place of the division in the process.

Three changes were made from the side which claimed a 1-1 draw against Sunderland on Monday as 17-year-old goalkeeper Aidan Harris, who signed his first professional contract with United last month, and defensive full-backs Leo Shahar and Dylan Charlton were all handed starts in Stevenage.

In the 15th minute, Newcastle took the lead as Parkinson netted his first goal of the 2024/25 season as the Durham-born teenager racing onto Jamie Miley's pass before firing the ball past Spurs goalkeeper Josh Keeley.

Parkinson and Trevan Sanusi, who made his Magpies first-team debut in a pre-season friendly win against Hull City last month, were unable to extend Newcastle's lead further in the second-half but their misses would not prove costly as United's second-string recorded a positive win against the North London outfit, who had suffered a mere two league defeats last season.

Newcastle United Under-21s are back in action on Friday, 30th August when facing an away clash against Derby County at Causeway Lane, home of non-league outfit Matlock Town (kick-off 7pm BST).

The latest from the Box Office ahead of Spurs clash

Newcastle United will travel to Australia following the conclusion of the Premier League season in May to take on Tottenham Hotspur and the A-League All Stars in Melbourne

Newcastle United will travel to Australia following the conclusion of the Premier League season in May to take on Tottenham Hotspur and the A-League All Stars in Melbourne