Tottenham Hotspur have been gifted with a chance to crack the top four thanks to Manchester United losing in shock fashion Saturday, and they’re going to be eager and raring to go in this match to seize that opportunity. Cracking the top four and making the Champions League again has been their goal for years now, and they need to take any chance they can to get themselves into that coveted group again to position themselves for a run in it at the end of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch EPL online
Spurs have a chance to crack the top four, but Newcastle won’t make their chase easy in any way.
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Newcastle, though, won’t just be rolling over letting Tottenham win. They proved last weekend against Liverpool that they’re still a tough team who can beat anyone when given the chance, even if they’re still in the relegation zone. Newcastle still have their problems, obviously -- you don’t land in 18th place without having problems -- but they’ll fight Tottenham to the hilt and won’t give up until the final whistle blows. Spurs can’t get too cocky or assured that they’ll win this match, because the Toon won’t make it easy at all.
Key player -- Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
With Cheick Tiote out for Newcastle, Eriksen has a chance to shine as bright as ever. Tiote was the one man Newcastle has who could realistically keep the Dane in check, and without him Eriksen looks set to run free and clear between the lines and play in his teammates unchecked. That kind of unstopped playmaking skill is not something Newcastle will be able to deal with well.
Key matchup -- Kyle Walker (Tottenham) vs. Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle)
Wijnaldum is Newcastle’s top scorer, but he went almost two months without a goal until scoring against Liverpool last weekend. He’s still their most dangerous attacker, though, and Walker is going to have his hands full all day long trying to keep him from getting inside to penetrate the box and wreak havoc. Walker’s a good fullback, but he’s struggled with more dynamic wide men like Wijnaldum for his whole career -- Spurs fans will be hoping that this is a good day for Walker in that respect.
Tottenham Hotspur injuries and suspensions
Out: Clinton N’Jie, Moussa Dembele, Ryan Mason, Alex Pritchard In doubt: Eric Dier
Newcastle United injuries and suspensions
Out: Mike Williamson, Jamaal Lascelles, Cheick Tiote, Massadio Haidara, Rolando Aarons, Tim Krul, Gabby Obertan, Steven Taylor, Emmanuel Riviere, Curtis Good
Newcastle’s injury woes continue, missing several key defenders, as well as lynchpin midfielder Cheick Tiote. They’ve struggled with injuries all season long, and they’re a huge reason why they’re sitting in the relegation zone. Tottenham haven’t been immune from injuries either, and the absence of Dembele and hobbling of Dier are two huge blows to their own midfield.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 11 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. local
Venue: White Hard Lane, London, England
TV: Telemundo (U.S. - Spanish), Sportnset World (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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