Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle: Match Preview, Latest Team News and Score Prediction

White Hart Lane has not felt this tense in years. When Tottenham Hotspur welcome Newcastle United on Sunday, the stakes will be framed less by European dreams than by the fear of being dragged into a relegation fight that neither club ever imagined joining. Spurs have taken one victory from their last ten Premier League outings, a sequence that leaves them six points above the drop zone and staring at a north London derby that could define their season. Newcastle, for their part, have lost three league games in a row and gone five without a win across all competitions, prompting manager Eddie Howe to admit he would consider stepping aside if he cannot halt the slide.

Thomas Frank, still acclimatising to the scrutiny of the Tottenham dugout, must somehow patch together a defence stripped of Cristian Romero after the captain’s second red card of the campaign at Old Trafford. Romero’s suspension compounds an injury list that already rules out Pedro Porro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Ben Davies, Kevin Danso, Richarlison and, most recently, left wing-back Destiny Udogie, who faces at least a month out with a hamstring strain. Radu Dragusin is poised to deputise in the back three, with Joao Palhinha again expected to drop in as an auxiliary centre-half, while January signing Souza and the returning Djed Spence offer slim encouragement on the bench. Pape Matar Sarr and Conor Gallagher are set to anchor midfield, leaving Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke to carry the attacking threat.

Newcastle’s treatment room is similarly crowded. Joelinton, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento remain long-term absentees, Emil Krafth is out, and both Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon are doubtful. Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga are pressing for recalls, and Nick Woltemade is in contention to replace Yoane Wissa in attack.

The contest pits two wounded teams against one another. Spurs showed flashes of resilience while down to ten men at Manchester United, crafting chances that will encourage Frank on home soil, yet a cobbled-together back line invites pressure. Newcastle, bruised but sensing vulnerability, know victory would lift them level on points with their hosts and potentially haul them back toward mid-table security. A single goal, or a single mistake, could tilt the balance for two clubs desperate to stop the rot before March arrives.

Score prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle