Alan Pardew didn't escape the pressure he's been under during Newcastle's slow start with their win over Leicester City last week, but he did buy himself some time. In order to settle down the restless Magpies supporters, he's going to need to keep finding wins, but a trip to White Hart Lane against Spurs won't be an easy task.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United live stream: How to watch the EPL online
Spurs look to begin their push back into the battle for a European spot as they welcome struggling Newcastle to London.
The early season optimism surrounding Spurs thanks to two opening wins has evaporated as the team has managed just one league win since. Hopes are up just a bit after Spurs 5-1 win in the Europa League and a win over Newcastle could point to Spurs turning a corner. Or not, because it’s Spurs. The one thing not in doubt is that they should be defeating the Magpies at home.
Winning away is something Newcastle haven’t done this season and if that trend continues, chances are Pardew will be once again facing angry fans, protest and who knows what else.
Key Player: Papiss Cissé (Newcastle)
When things have gone right for Newcastle this season, it's usually involved striker Papiss Cissé. He's scored four goals and provided one assist in five games, including helping save points for Alan Pardew a couple of times. With Siem de Jong sidelined until the new year with a groin injury, Cissé is the guy up front and there's little doubt that Newcastle are better with him, and assuming his knee doesn't keep him out, he's been the primary focus for the Spurs defense.
Key Matchup: Newcastle defense vs. Spurs attack
Yes, Newcastle earned a clean sheet last week in a win over Leicester City. It was a good performance, but at this point we can’t view it as any more than an aberration in the data. The Magpies have consistently been a mess at the back, leaking goals on a consistent basis all season. If they can slow down Spurs and look solid for the second straight week, maybe we can reevaluate, but logic says Tottenham will be able to put goals past Newcastle.
Tottenham injuries and suspensions
Out: Kyle Naughton (ankle), Kyle Walker (hip), Federico Fazio (suspended). In Doubt: Nabil Bentaleb (ankle).
Newcastle injuries and suspensions
Out: Rolando Aarons (hamstring), Davide Santon (knee), Siem De Jong (groin). In Doubt: Sammy Ameobi (knock), Papiss Cissé (knee), Paul Dummett (hamstring), Emmanuel Rivière (knock), Cheick Tioté (calf), Mike Williamson (knock)
Newcastle remain hindered by injuries and have a multitude of starter either out or hobbled at the moment. While Papiss Cissé, Paul Dummett and Cheick Tioté are listed as doubts, all three played last week and they'll probably be in the lineup again on Sunday. For Spurs the main issue is defender Federico Fazio who will serve a one-match ban, forcing a likely defensive pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. local, 9:30 a.m. ET
Venue: White Hart Lane, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S.), TSN2 (Canada)
Online: NBC Live Extra (U.S.)
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