Newcastle United head to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in a match-up of two sides that are very injury riddled, but still feeling pretty confident. For Newcastle, they were the lead story of the day in the football world on Tuesday as they upset reigning league champions Manchester City.
For Tottenham, they were able to take care of a pretty good Watford side in midweek, despite being without their biggest of guns. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has a taken a refreshingly honest approach to his recent media opportunities, making blunt comments about the club’s competitive priorities and the competitive disadvantage they face when juxtaposed against Liverpool and Manchester City.
That all said, let’s take a look at the long injury for both sides in this clash.
Striker Harry Kane and midfielder Dele Alli remain out long term for Spurs, and that is obviously a big hit as the duo have accounted for 38% of the goals scored by the north London side in Premier League action this season. Defender Ben Davies is carrying a knock, so he could go, but likely won’t.
As for Newcastle, they have plenty of injury concerns themselves with Paul Dummett, Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame all facing late fitness tests in order to be ready for the Saturday afternoon clash at the national stadium.
In addition to the strong possibility of that trio being unavailable, Rafael Benitz won’t be able to call up Joselu, Ki Sung-yueng, Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot and Yoshinori Muto either.
All five are out injured.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United FC FYIs
Kickoff: February 2, 12:30pm, Wembley Stadium
Google Result Probability: Tottenham Hotspur win 68%, Draw 21%, Newcastle United win 11%
Odds via Bet365: Tottenham Hotspur win 2/5, Draw 7/2, Newcastle United win 7/1
Tottenham Hotspur starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2, Newcastle United 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.