Spurs (H) – Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible XI and prediction

The monkey is off our back and that seven-month wait is over. We've finally won a Premier League game away from home!

A precious three points on the road and the nature of our win felt like a turning point in our season, making it back-to-back wins in the league and moving us closer to that cluster of teams around the European spots, even if we're still down in 13th.

However, after the highs of Saturday night and suggestions we're 'back', we must follow it up with another big display and make use of the momentum we've built heading into two home games against Spurs and Burnley this week.

We've won our last SIX at St James' Park and face an out of sorts Spurs side on Tuesday night, handing us a huge opportunity to leapfrog a 'big six' rival in the table and make it three league wins in a row for the first time this season.

Speaking ahead of our meeting with Spurs on Tuesday night, Howe said:

“The league is very tight this year and a consistent run of victories can propel you up the league very quickly.

“We’re in a better position than we were in terms of a points gap. It is a key time because you cant let yourself get detached. We know where we want to be and we need a run of games where we get positive results.

It’s vitally important we find the consistency we’re searching for. It seems like we’re going between Champions League and Premier League and not quite finding that sweet spot we’ve been searching for all season. Hopefully this is the turning point for us.

“Every opponent we face in the Premier League is so difficult and now we face Tottenham who are a very good team with their own strengths. We’ll put our plan in place to try and find a way to win.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmZVFGdDKo

Team news

Sven Botman (back) will miss out again, along with Kieran Trippier (hamstring), Will Osula (ankle) and Yoane Wissa (knee), although the latter is edging closer after playing in a behind-closed-doors match over the weekend.

Nick Pope (groin) is a major doubt and Emil Krafth could also miss out again due to a knee injury.

For Spurs, captain and centre-back Cristian Romero is back from a ban after missing their 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday night, while James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke all remain out.

Predicted XI

(4-3-3): Ramsdale – Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.

Match prediction

Spurs have lost their last three on the road (conceding 11 in that period), were beaten by Fulham at the weekend and Thomas Frank is under pressure, sending them to St James' Park on a downward spiral they'll be desperate to reverse.

They could come out fighting and they still have plenty of quality in Mohammed Kudus, Pedro Porro and Joao Palhinha, just to name a few, but we should be full of confidence after Saturday, are a different side with our two full-backs fit and have beaten Spurs on their last four trips to Tyneside.

Woltemade to find the net again in another vital victory for Eddie Howe's Mags!

Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Spurs

Howay the lads!