Game Week 16 Predictions: Straight draw at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?

Tottenham vs Newcastle: Battle for top-four hopes intensifies in Premier League clash.

Newcastle United and Tottenham both lost their midweek games, they both have reasons to fight for a win here, it will be an interesting game. (Photo credit: 90Mins)

 Tottenham vs. Newcastle

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

5:30pm

Separated by one point and two places, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United will square up on Sunday to try and close in on the top four.

It’s a tough time for the hosts, and their fans must be wondering how bad it quickly got. Four losses in five games threw them completely out of the top four. They were leading the rest of the teams before they hosted Chelsea, and now they have to chase.

Injuries to Micky Van de Ven and James Maddison ruined a lot for them. Heung Min Son is struggling upfront in the absence of his chief creator, while the high-line defence that Ange Postecoglou likes to play isn’t ticking without the big Belgian.

Newcastle hit the self-destruct button at Everton. Kieran Trippier is probably the most assured on the ball, but he was suspect throughout the game and contributed to two of the three goals they conceded to end their unbeaten run.

Newcastle had beaten Chelsea and Manchester United on the bounce in the league and then went to Everton to disappoint their travelling fans. A win will take the Magpies above Tottenham on the log; there’s no better incentive than that.

Both sides have injuries to worry about. The long list at Newcastle continues, with Jamaal Lascelles likely to miss the trip to Tottenham. There’s Champions League football in midweek as well; it’s a game they must win. Will they sacrifice league football for that?

Tottenham is still without a host of key names, but they welcomed Richarlison back last weekend and also saw the return of Christian Romero from suspension. Heung Min Son was reported to be injured after the midweek home loss to Westham, but he appears to have shrugged that off.

Newcastle will set the way they have always done, to chase every ball and run for the entirety of the game; they like to leave everything on the pitch. It’s a game they would see as an opportunity to gain momentum going into the Champions League game against Milan.

Both sides will have their moments in the game. Martin Dubravka is going to need to be at his best. Nick Pope’s injury has handed him a big opportunity; he can’t pass on it. This is one game we’d enjoy; it’s going to be intriguing.

Verdict: Both teams score