- Team form: Tottenham have drawn their last 3 games and their last 2 home games were both 2-2 ties with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
- Head-to-head: Newcastle have won two of their last 3 meetings with Spurs, drawing the other.
- Recent run: Newcastle have won just three of their last 10 matches in all competitions, drawing two and losing five.
Spurs looking for revenge
Spurs' outlook
Spurs will want revenge on Saturday when Newcastle come to town, having not won either of their last 2 at home to the Magpies. They failed to get the job done in the return fixture 6 months ago, losing 1-2 in a game they dominated possession-wise but couldn't get enough shots on target, but they should have more luck against Newcastle in a similar fixture now that they are playing with a little more balance and attacking edge.
Newcastle's form
Newcastle have the better of the head-to-head record over the last few seasons but it is fair to say that they have been in poor form of late, especially away from home. Their 1-2 defeat to Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Thursday night was their 3rd consecutive loss, coming after a penalty shootout defeat to Racing Club Strasbourg.
Matthias Jaissle's side are not great travellers and have won just one of their 6 away games in all competitions this season (D2, L3), so they are certainly not the most reliable pick on Saturday afternoon despite the value about them at 3.3, compared to Spurs' slight favorites at 2.0 and the draw at 3.7.
Stalemate more likely than Magpies masterclass
De Zerbi is a possession-first, positional coach and his side have been patient in their build-up but clinical when they get into the half-spaces and over the top with their vertical passes. Newcastle will press high and try to get turnovers in Spurs' half and they have the legs to do it, so this could be a real chess match between two teams with contrasting styles.
- Harvey Barnes is the main spark in Jaissle's system, with the ex-Leicester man providing two of Newcastle's six goals in their last five games and having a better eye for goal than ever before.
- Tottenham are a tough nut to crack at the moment and unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions (W5, D4, L1), so it is difficult to see this being an easy road win.
- The draw is definitely on the radar for this game, given Tottenham have not lost at home in any competition this season, winning 3 and drawing 4 of their 7 games there to date.
Not a cagey game in prospect
The Over 2.5 goals at 1.65 and Both Teams to Score at 1.57 look a bit more likely than the Under/No goals markets as both teams are more than willing to have a go when they can.
But given Spurs have scored 1.86 goals per home game in all competitions this term, they still have the attacking edge and should be able to outscore the Magpies in North London.
