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2 min: Tottenham\u2019s fans are positioned high up in the Leazes end. They\u2019re doing a good job of making themselves heard from the heavens.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Tottenham Hotspur kick off. A fine early-evening-pints-fuelled atmosphere at St James\u2019 Park. Spurs are kicking towards the Gallowgate in this first half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The teams are out! Newcastle in their famous black and white stripes, Spurs in 1982 FA Cup final yellow. A quick blast of the theme from Local Hero and we\u2019ll be away. Howay!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Pre-match postbag. \u201cI\u2019m glad to see Aaron Ramsdale getting a bit of a run: I\u2019ve been keeping an eye on the Newcastle bench this season and his enthusiasm is so infectious that at various points I\u2019ve expected him to storm the pitch and start flying into tackles in midfield. Actually, that\u2019s more of a Nick Pope thing. What ever happened to the good ol\u2019 days of Shay Given and Brad Friedel, eh? Keepers shouldn\u2019t be allowed to leave their six-yard-box. The game is gone\u201d \u2013 Chris Paraskevas<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are the odds that I\u2019ll be in tears of anguish and frustration? Whispering COYS\u201d \u2013 Nick Wayne<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n This is a big game for Tottenham, who have lost their last three matches in all competitions, shipping 11 goals in the process. The last of those was a wonderful combination of opportunism and execution by Fulham\u2019s Harry Wilson, though the Spurs fans were perhaps understandably more focused on Guglielmo Vicario\u2019s unfortunate role in the lead-up to the goal. Rob Davies takes a snapshot of the discontent in N17 right now.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Eddie Howe talks to Sky. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity for us \u2026 a difficult game \u2026 Spurs have been really good away from home \u2026 two tough teams going against each other \u2026 we anticipate a tough game but hopefully a good one \u2026 rotation for Bruno [Guimaraes] \u2026 give him a breather amid a hectic schedule \u2026 it\u2019s really important how we start \u2026 our intention, our body language, our energy \u2026. hopefully the crowd can do the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thomas Frank speaks to Sky Sports. \u201cMicky [van de Ven] is a super-important player \u2026 but this is the fourth game in ten days \u2026 we make sure to keep the freshness \u2026 the players have never been fitter in the last three years than they are now \u2026 we are positive \u2026 we believe we can get something from the game and win up here \u2026 it demands a top performance against a super-good team \u2026 we need to bring the energy \u2026 bravery \u2026 composure on the ball \u2026 I expect a super-tight game \u2026 it will be at times quite open but I expect a super, super-tight game.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There are two other Premier League<\/a> games being played tonight. Bournemouth host Everton while Manchester City travel to Fulham. Both of those have just kicked off, and Will Unwin is your man for up-to-the-minute news of those \u2026 plus an additional La Liga treat by the looks of it. We spoil you rotten.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Newcastle make two changes to their starting XI after the 4-1 win at Everton. Sandro Tonali and Jacob Murphy come in for Anthony Elanga and captain Bruno Guimar\u00e3es, who both drop to the bench.<\/p>\n Spurs make four changes to their starting line-up following the Fulham fiasco. Brennan Johnson, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and captain Cristian Romero return; Archie Gray, Richarlison, Micky van de Ven and Jo\u00e3o Palhinha are benched.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The teams<\/p>\n Newcastle United: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Miley, Tonali, Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes. Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Danso, Udogie, Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall, Kudus, Muani, Johnson. Referee: Thomas Bramall Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.11 EST<\/p>\n Preamble<\/p>\n After that<\/a> debacle against Fulham<\/a>, Tottenham Hotspur and their insta-beleaguered boss Thomas Frank are in desperate need of a spirit-replenishing result. We wish them all the best with that tonight, as they\u2019re about to face a Newcastle United side high on life after walloping Everton<\/a>, in a fixture they\u2019ve recently lost 2-1<\/a>, 4-0<\/a> and 6-1<\/a>. Throw in the fact that Newcastle have won five of their last six in the league against Spurs, and that they\u2019ve not lost a midweek league match at home since 2021, a run that stretches back ten games, and Spurs are up against it all right.<\/p>\n Rhythmically, and in search of balance, this would be the point at which we trot out some stats to offer Spurs hope. But they\u2019re in short supply. While Newcastle tend to enjoy midweek league fixtures, Spurs most signally do not: they\u2019ve won just one of their last 13, losing the last seven on the bounce. And then there\u2019s Eddie Howe\u2019s personal record against Frank: he\u2019s won six of eight. But hey, personal hoodoos are there to be broken \u2013 Howe did exactly that himself against Pep Guardiola the other week<\/a> \u2013 so rule nothing out. And despite all the negative mood music<\/a> accompanying Spurs, when it all comes down they\u2019re still ahead of the Toon in the Premier League standings. All to play for, then. Kick-off at St James\u2019 Park is 8.15pm GMT. It\u2019s on!<\/p>\n
Subs: Ruddy, Schar, Gordon, Elanga, Willock, Alex Murphy, Guimaraes, Ramsey, Neave.<\/p>\n
Subs: Kinsky, Joao Palhinha, Simons, Richarlison, Tel, Gray, Spence, Odobert, van de Ven.<\/p>\n
VAR: Paul Tierney<\/p>\n