(Football news) Four months ago, in the rematch in North London, Spurs defeated the Magpies 4-1, so this time they’re out to exact retribution.
Newcastle United has gained seven points from their last three Premier League games to increase their hopes of finishing in the top seven, after going into the international break in March with back-to-back losses.
Only days after pulling off an incredible 4-3 comeback victory against West Ham United, the Magpies were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Everton. However, they were back on track last weekend, defeating Fulham by a score of 1-0 at Craven Cottage.
Bruno Guimaraes scored nine minutes from time on his 100th appearance for Newcastle to secure maximum points for Eddie Howe’s side, who sit eighth in the top-flight standings and just one point behind seventh-placed West Ham United, who have played a game more.
Newcastle, who are looking to win consecutive league games for the first time since December, will welcome a return to St James’ Park where they are unbeaten in their last five matches, scoring 14 goals in the process.
The Magpies will reminisce about their last home meeting with Spurs in April 2023 when they thumped the North Londoners 6-1, leading 3-0 after just nine minutes and 5-0 within the first 21 minutes. Repeating that success will be a tall order, but Tottenham’s recent away record – just two wins in their last nine – bodes well for Howe and co ahead of Saturday’s contest.
Although their form on the road is a cause for concern, Tottenham have now won eight of their last nine Premier League home games in North London, including last weekend’s 3-1 success over Nottingham Forest.
Spurs were made to work for all three points against a spirited Forest outfit and were forced to enter half time level after their opener – an own goal from Murillo – was cancelled out by Chris Wood. However, defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro scored within the space of six second-half minutes to fire the Lilywhites to an important victory.
Tottenham have now scored 11 Premier League goals through defenders so far this term, the joint-most in the division alongside rivals Arsenal, and their win over Forest helped them leapfrog Aston Villa into fourth spot, now sitting above the fifth-placed Villains on goal difference with a game in hand.
Ange Postecoglou has reaffirmed that he “couldn’t care less” about the battle for fourth place with seven games remaining. Instead, he wants to see progress in his team as they prepare for a difficult stretch of games against Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
Spurs would get a major boost from a victory over Newcastle, whom they have defeated in four of their previous six trips to St James’ Park, before a 15-day break in anticipation of a potentially crucial North London derby on home soil on April 28.
