Spurs (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

It's been a brilliant few weeks for Newcastle United, with a solid point at Old Trafford sandwiched between convincing wins over Fulham and Brentford and a hard fought yet fully deserved 1-0 win over Everton in midweek.

It was a funny game on Wednesday. We played some lovely stuff in patches, had 16 shots to their one, yet struggled to dominate the ball like we have in recent home games. However, the fact we limited Everton to so few chances - they didn't have a single shot on target all night - speaks volumes, proving we can still defend superbly and see out a win convincingly while tired and below our best.

Next up, we face a Spurs side who've mixed a strong start to the season with an awful performance in midweek. The 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford was said to be a horrible watch from a Tottenham perspective, so you'd imagine they'll be fired up to put that right this weekend.

There'll be a lot of tired legs in the Newcastle side, so this will be a huge test of our metal. We lost this fixture 5-1 back in April and got it horribly wrong that day, allowing Kane and Son to run riot after giving them far too much space in behind.

Hopefully we have learned from that and recovered well from Wednesday's win, as it will take a big effort and smart tactical approach to keep our unbeaten run going in this one, with Spurs winning each of their last seven games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Team news

Joelinton is a doubt after picking up a knee injury in midweek, although he may be OK after featuring in the club's training photos on Firday.

Alexander Isak (thigh) and Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring) remain out, while Paul Dummett and Javier Manquillo have also picked up fresh knocks.

Jonjo Shelvey is likely to remain on the bench as he edges his way back from a hamstring injury, with Matt Ritchie (calf), Karl Darlow (ankle), Emil Krafth (ACL) still out.

For Spurs, wide men Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison have both been ruled out, but Brazilian wing-back Emerson Royal is back from a three-game ban following his red card in the North London derby.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Fraser.

I was surprised Howe went with another unchanged side in midweek, but that means rotation is almost inevitable this time around.

I think Matt Targett and Ryan Fraser will come in down the left, replacing Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy, with Joe Willock also seeming a good bet to return in midfield now Joelinton is struggling with a knee problem.

Chris Wood could be one to watch. I think we might give 60-70 minutes to Wilson - who will be desperate to impress ahead of the World Cup - but we'll need to be careful with our injury-prone striker given it would be hist third start in eight days. With Isak out until after the World Cup and Saint-Maximin still out, Howe will be conscious of risking another key attacker.

Predicted Spurs XI: Lloris - Romero, Dier, Lenglet - Emerson, Hjobjerg, Bissouma, Bentancur, Sessegnon - Son, Kane.

One to watch: Harry Kane - Whether it's dropping in to create, his ability to win fouls in dangerous areas or emphatic finishing in the final third, he has been Tottenham's main man this season. Son is a huge threat if we dare to play a high line, but Kane could be the man to stop if we sit deeper and look to frustrate.

Prediction

I hope I'm wrong, but I think this will be a tough game and one we'll just fall short in.

I always back us to be competitive, defend well and give any side in this division a run for their money, but injuries and fatigue are mounting up and we face a Spurs side who've won every Premier League home game so far this season.

We have only lost once and dealt with Man Utd much better than they did in midweek, so maybe I'm doing us a disservice, but I'm going for a narrow home win here.

Prediction: Spurs 2-1 Newcastle