quarta-feira, 15 de julho de 2020

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur preview: Mourinho seeks first St James' Park win

Jose Mourinho brings his European chasing Tottenham side to St James' Park, a place where he is still looking for his first Premier League victory as a manager.


Newcastle return home to St James' Park on Wednesday evening after away defeats to both Manchester City and Watford
The Magpies were thumped 5-0 by City and just a few days later, lost 2-1 to the Hornets - although they were a goal up at half-time.
Newcastle are left with very little to play for in these final three games, as they are safe from relegation - and are seven points behind the top ten places.
Regardless of the Toon's season seemingly coming to a premature end, head coach Steve Bruce will be desperate to his United side to get back to winning ways against Tottenham.

St James' Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Spurs manager, Jose Mourinho.
He has failed to win in the Premier League at Newcastle since 2004, when he was first appointed as Chelsea boss.
His last game at St James' Park ended in defeat for the Portuguese manager - where Rafa Benitez's Magpies team saw off his Manchester United side, in a narrow 1-0 victory.

Tottenham will be heading to the North East in great spirits, as they are coming off a 2-1 win over their North London rivals, Arsenal.
The Lilywhites found themselves a goal down, as Gunners forward Alexandre Lacazette scored a goal of the season contender - but Son Heung-min equalised a few minutes later before Toby Alderweireld headed home to snatch all three points and ensure the bragging rights for Spurs.


The victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ensured that their aims of Europa League qualification remain alive, as they now only trail seventh-placed Sheffield United by just two points.
If there is a time for Mourinho to end his St James' Park nightmare, it is certainly now.

  • Form

Newcastle have lost their last two games, but those defeats to Manchester City and Watford are their only ones since the Premier League restarted last month.
Since the restart, Steve Bruce's men have had impressive wins over Sheffield United and Bournemouth, as well as score draws against relegation-battling Aston Villa and West Ham.
The Magpies sit comfortably in 13th place in the table, and a victory against Tottenham could send them as high as 11th.
Spurs have won two of their last three games, albeit that victory against Arsenal is after a disappointing goalless draw to Bournemouth - where they did not manage to have a single shot on target.
Jose Mourinho's side have only lost once since the Premier League restart, with that defeat coming against Sheffield United at the start of July.
The Lilywhites remain locked in a push for the Europa League places, and a win against Newcastle would go a long way towards achieving it. 
  • Previous meeting

In the reverse fixture, Newcastle got their first win at Spurs' new stadium - recording a shock 1-0 victory in North London.
The day of firsts continued for the Magpies, as Joelinton bagged his inaugural Newcastle goal - and it was Steve Bruce's maiden league win as the Toon's head coach.

  • Team news - Newcastle United

Danny Rose is ineligible for selection to face his parent club.
Florian Lejeune and Ciaran Clark are ruled out for the rest of the season, with thigh and ankle injuries respectively.
Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden are also ruled out of Saturday's clash, both suffering from thigh injuries.
Captain Jamaal Lascelles is unlikely to feature after sustaining an ankle injury during the defeat to Watford.
Andy Carroll is a doubt with a groin injury.
Allan Saint-Maximin is also a doubt for Newcastle, after picking up a knock on Saturday.
  • Team news - Tottenham Hotspur

Eric Dier is two games into his four-match suspension, so he remains unavailable for selection.
Juan Foyth is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Jose Mourinho did reveal that midfielder Tanguy Ndombele got injured in training yesterday and is unlikely to feature tomorrow.
Dele Alli is a doubt for the trip to the North East, as he is yet to fully recover from a hamstring injury.
Serge Aurier has the choice of playing tomorrow according to manager Jose Mourinho, following the news of his brothers death.
  • Key players

Martin Dubravka is set for a busy evening tomorrow and will have to be Newcastle's most important player if they want to complete a league double over Spurs.
The Slovakian international has the most saves in the Premier League so far this season, with 119 to his name.
The 31-year-old has been a standout performer for Newcastle this season and will have to be performing at his peak to ensure Tottenham's Harry Kane fires blank.
Son Heung-min pounced on a crucial Arsenal defensive mistake on Saturday, and he will be looking to cause similar pain to the Newcastle backline on Wednesday night.
The South Korean has only netted once since the restart, but a change in formation to a 4-4-2 is allowing Son to push higher up the pitch - and get in those attacking positions.
His pacy and direct play is set to give the Newcastle defenders a headache.
It will be Federico Fernandez's duty to stop the 28-year-old, albeit a very tough proposition for the Argentinian.

  • Predicted line-ups:

Newcastle United: Dubravka; Yedlin, Krafth, Fernandez, Manquillo; Shelvey, Schar; Saint-Maximin, Almiron, Joelinton; Gayle. (4-2-3-1)
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris; Tanganga, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Davies; Sissoko, Lo Celso, Winks, Lucas; Son, Kane. (4-4-2)
  • Where to watch the game:

BT Sport 1 (UK) - 18:00 BST - 15/07/20

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