Tottenham Hotspur will probably be hoping to say their second win of the season towards Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, ending their St. James’ Park hoodoo.
Certainly, Spurs have misplaced each of their current journeys to Tyneside within the Premier League, battered 6-1 within the 2022/23 season earlier than being trounced 4-0 final yr. Ange Postecoglou will probably be determined to depart Newcastle with three factors, nevertheless it definitely will not be straightforward.
The Magpies aren’t fairly flying excessive after a disappointing switch window, however they’ve retained the companies of their key gamers, particularly Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.
Tottenham are giddy from their current drubbing of Everton, profitable 4-0 final weekend, and whereas Dominic Solanke is not going to be risked earlier than the primary worldwide break of the yr, the Lilywhites are primed for a profitable season and Postecoglou has a wholesome mixture of gamers to select from.
Postecoglou might nicely make two adjustments from the facet that trounced the Toffees…
1
GK – Guglielmo Vicario
Guglielmo Vicario has been unflappable since becoming a member of Tottenham from Empoli in a £17m deal one yr in the past. Aged simply 27, the Italian shot-stopper is but to overlook a minute within the Premier League, and he’ll proceed that streak tomorrow.
2
RB – Pedro Porro
Opening his season with a goalscoring efficiency towards Leicester, Pedro Porro is without doubt one of the brightest attacking full-backs in England and gives a lot to Postecoglou’s free-flowing, enterprising fashion.
As per FBref, the Spaniard ranks among the many prime 10% of large defenders throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous yr for objectives, the highest 12% for assists, the highest 9% for shot-creating actions, the highest 7% for progressive passes and the highest 18% for tackles per 90. He is the actual deal alright.
3
CB – Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero produced a titanic efficiency towards the Toffees one week in the past, capping off his redoubtable show with a headed aim from a nook.
He is an absolute pitbull of a centre-half, and whereas Romero is considerably overzealous occasionally, he is one of many division’s best and will probably be essential in silencing Isak and Gordon.
4
CB – Micky van de Ven
And so too will Micky van de Ven. Truthfully, what’s there to say? The Dutchman has tempo to rival that of Europe’s quickest forwards, with an Olympic-standard athleticism that enables him to shut down hopeful forwards on the break.
His wheels give Postecoglou’s backline a dimension that the majority groups can scarcely even think about.
5
LB – Future Udogie
Future Udogie missed the ultimate part of the 2023/24 season as a result of harm, however he’s match and firing as soon as extra down Spurs’ left flank, and could possibly be up for a fierce battle towards his reverse member, Tino Livramento.
The 21-year-old performs with all the confidence of an skilled, world-class celebrity. He is on his technique to incomes such a status, to be honest.
6
DM – Archie Grey
He is appeared fully at residence within the Premier League up to now, albeit solely that includes off the bench in Tottenham’s first two fixtures. Nonetheless, Archie Grey is a first-class expertise and his ball-playing capacity will probably be important in guaranteeing his group wins the central battle.
This may really feel like a tall order for an 18-year-old, however he was signed for a purpose and began 40 Championship fixtures with Leeds United final yr, profitable the Younger Participant of the 12 months award.
Yves Bissouma’s goalscoring efficiency final week did a lot for the Malian’s process in constructing himself again up at Tottenham, however Grey – who has been dubbed a “phenomenal participant” by pundit Jermaine Beckford – deserves a shot, particularly with a key midfielder set to return…
7
CM – Rodrigo Bentancur
Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a concussion towards Leicester on Tottenham’s opening day of the season, however he has been cleared to play and can deliver his all-encompassing midfield skillset to the pitch, able to put his current points behind him.
8
CM – James Maddison
James Maddison began life in London extremely, profitable August’s Participant of the Month award final season and proving the architect of Spurs’ blistering run of early-season type.
Damage ruined that quick begin, costing him a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad, however he is now poised to rekindle his standing as one of many division’s elite.
|
James Maddison: PL Stats So Far (2024/25) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats |
vs Leicester (1-1 draw) |
vs Everton (4-0 win) |
|
Minutes performed |
79′ |
79′ |
|
Targets |
0 |
0 |
|
Assists |
1 |
1 |
|
Touches |
82 |
85 |
|
Photographs taken |
1 |
3 |
|
Correct passes |
52/60 (87%) |
54/62 (87%) |
|
Key passes |
3 |
2 |
|
Dribble makes an attempt |
2/2 |
0/1 |
|
Whole duels gained |
4/7 |
5/11 |
|
Stats by way of Sofascore |
||
Everyone knows what he can do, now let’s hope he can increase his degree and switch his group right into a powerhouse.
9
RW – Dejan Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski ebbed and flowed final season, solely beginning 5 of the ultimate 9 matches, and although he was benched on the King Energy Stadium, the Swede’s efficiency towards Everton has left Postecoglou with a lot to chew on.
Bentancur ought to begin in the midst of the park, however Kulusevski’s transferrable abilities will see him thrive in a extra accustomed position on the precise flank. He might make all of the distinction.
10
LW – Brennan Johnson
Brennan Johnson has began Tottenham’s opening fixtures of the yr, although Kulusevski’s return to the flank might see him shift onto the left wing.
The Welshman is now one yr into his Spurs profession, and whereas he is but to deliver all of it collectively, the 23-year-old is blessed with scary tempo and a dogged angle that will probably be important in overpowering Newcastle.
11
CF – Heung-min Son
Richarlison is dominated out with an harm, however Heung-min Son was hardly going to lose his place because the focal frontman anyway. The South Korean skipper bagged twice as Everton had been wrecked by some slick and classy soccer final trip.
It is irritating that Solanke, club-record £65m summer season signing, stays sidelined till after the worldwide break, however Tottenham will stand a very good probability of carrying their profitable type into the North London Derby in two weeks, particularly with Son on the spearhead.
