Tottenham (H): Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

There has been no match-up that has rivalled the drama provided by Spurs travelling to St James' Park in recent years. Consistently they have provided drama, and more recently, goals.

A thumping 6-1 win with five goals in 20 minutes? Done that. A 5-1 win when we were already relegated condemning Spurs to finish third in a two-horse-race? Done that too. Gaffer sent off for shoving an assistant referee even though we won? Step up Alan Pardew.

In the here and now, Spurs travel to St James' having only won one of their last six away games. In contrast, the Toon's record at home shows only one defeat in the last six.

But as we know, football isn't played on paper and even if it was, Eddie Howe's Mags would look shaky fielding a makeshift backline once again as Howe confirmed Lewis Hall had not trained this week. Nevertheless, we come into the game on the back of an impressive win against Fulham given that we were not at our best at all.

"It wasn’t a great performance, but we were dogged and determined," Howe said. "I thought it was a big step forward, not playing too well but finding a way to score and win the game. We haven’t been able to do that enough this season, find a way to win games like that."

And Howe has also talked up the job that Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has done at the club since arriving in the summer. "I admire them tactically; I admire them physically. A lot of credit must go to Ange for the job he has done and the philosophy he has implemented. I think they have played very well this year."

But the gaffer has said that the season is still in our hands, even if Champions League qualification looks dead and buried." I think you lose control of your destiny if you're always looking for external factors why you aren't performing at your best," he said.

"I always believe, no matter the circumstances, you can still win games and you can still ask your players to perform. I've always been a firm believer of that. It's still in our hands and I back the players we have to play well."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAHezlA5L3c&ab_channel=NewcastleUnited

Team news

Willock (achilles) looks set to miss out, despite promising feedback after seeing a specialist. Hall has not trained this week and is a doubt. Of those currently injured, Howe said that Livramento is the closest to a return, but he has not trained this week either.

Trippier remains out. Joelinton, Targett, Pope, Wilson, Almiron and Miley are also absent, along with ACL casualties Botman and Lascelles. Cathal Heffernan was seen training with the first team this week - the young defender scored in Newcastle U18's UEFA Youth League win over Milan earlier this season.

For the visitors, Richarlison has been ruled out and appears to be the only senior player of note who'll be missing for Spurs.

Predicted line-up: Dubravka - Krafth, Schar, Burn, Dummett - Bruno, Longstaff, Anderson - Gordon, Isak, Barnes.

Wow does that defence look makeshift. With the news that Hall has not trained this week, I expect he would not make the squad. In steps Paul Dummett who needs to have learned the lessons of his ill-fated cameo against Everton.

Please Eddie, can we have a front three of Gordon, Isak and Barnes? It may cure my clinical cynicism and revitalise my optimism.

Prediction: Newcastle 2 - 2 Spurs

I really don't want us to lose this one. My blind loyalty is the only thing keeping me from predicting a loss, especially with that makeshift back four and the lack of options to come off the bench.

Still, all it will take very little for one of the young lads to make themselves a hero.

We trust the process and remember that there is still a lot of football to play. We can finish in the top seven.

HOWAY THE LADS!