PL Predictions: Newcastle to drag Spurs further into relegation picture

Tottenham’s season is teetering on the brink. Two victories in 16 Premier League outings have left Ange Postecoglou’s side only six points above the drop zone, and bookmakers have responded by slashing their relegation odds to a sobering 10/1. Tuesday’s visit of Newcastle, therefore, feels less like a routine mid-week fixture and more like a referendum on survival.

Eddie Howe’s men arrive in north London armed with form, fitness and a tactical blueprint that has repeatedly punished Spurs’ soft centre. Newcastle have won on each of their last three league trips to the capital, and Howe – renowned for harnessing fan tension inside hostile stadiums – will hope the home crowd’s restlessness becomes a 12th man for the visitors. A fast start is anticipated, making the 5/2 quote for a half-time/full-time Newcastle double the standout wager on the card.

The numbers are stark for Tottenham. Only one triumph in 11 Premier League home fixtures underlines a brittleness that invites opposition optimism, and the 19/10 available on a straight Newcastle away win is already attracting sharp money. With Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in confident mood, the Magpies possess the pace and directness to exploit a defence that has shipped multiple goals in five of its last seven league outings.

Elsewhere on the Tuesday slate, Chelsea entertain Leeds at Stamford Bridge where Joao Pedro’s combative streak catches the eye. Eight fouls in six starts under Liam Rosenior marks the Brazilian as a striker willing to mix it, and Joe Rodon’s 4/1 to be fouled twice or more could prove generous. Everton’s James Garner, meanwhile, is priced at 11/4 to commit two or more fouls when Bournemouth visit Goodison, a scenario made likelier by Alex Scott’s recent magnetism for whistles – 14 drawn in eight appearances.

At the London Stadium, West Ham welcome a Manchester United side still searching for consistency. Crysencio Summerville’s direct wing play has produced nine shots on target in his last six matches, and the even-money quote for the Dutchman to test Andre Onana at least once is already popular. Villa’s 10/11 to defeat Brighton looks similarly appetising; the Seagulls have won once in 12 and appear bereft of both confidence and creativity under Fabian Hurzeler.

Relegation nerves are not exclusive to Spurs. Wolves’ clash with Nottingham Forest carries extra spice thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White’s return to Molineux. The midfielder, booked on emotional visits before, is a 10/1 shot to score and collect a card – a price that factors in both his fiery temperament and the likelihood of exuberant celebrations.

From a tactical betting standpoint, the “to be fouled” market continues to offer an edge. Virgil van Dijk’s duel with Brentford’s Brian Bobbey – nine fouls drawn in six games – sees the Liverpool captain priced at 10/11 to win one or more free-kicks, while Fulham’s counter-attacking prowess makes both teams to score at 4/5 an appealing play when they travel to the Etihad, a fixture that has seen goals at both ends in 12 of the Cottagers’ last 15.

As the midweek programme unfolds, the microscope will be fixed on Tottenham. Fail to halt Newcastle’s momentum and the gap to 18th could shrink to a precarious three points. For Howe and company, the mission is simple: land an early punch, deepen the crisis, and leave Spurs staring squarely at a relegation battle that only weeks ago seemed unthinkable.