Tottenham hope to get back to winning ways in their first game of 2025 as they take on in-form Newcastle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Premier League game is set to be aired live on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+, with kick-off at 12:30.
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Tottenham v Newcastle predicted line-ups
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence, Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski, Maddison, Son, Solanke
Newcastle (4-3-3): Dubravka, Trippier, Kelly, Burn, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Tottenham v Newcastle team news
Tottenham’s injury woes continue to pile up with left-back Destiny Udogie now sidelined following yet another hamstring issue, picked up in the 2-2 draw with Wolves last week. He joins first team centre-backs Cristian Romero and Mickey van de Ven in the physio room, as well as first No.1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Djed Spence is back from suspension and should fill in at left-back alongside makeshift defensive duo Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray.
Meanwhile, Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended once again after being carded against Wolves, despite only just returning from a seven-match ban for comments about team-mate Son Heung-min. Pape Sarr should start alongside Yves Bissouma in midfield.
With Tottenham winless in three, it might be time for Ange Postecoglou to switch things up in attack. Dejan Kulusevski has been the team’s best player by some distance this season. However, at times he has worked well on the right rather than centrally, so James Maddison could come back in his place for Brennan Johnson.
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As for Newcastle, they have a couple of absences to contend with, too. Kieran Trippier went off against Manchester United with a leg injury and is a doubt against his former club, although Howe may choose to risk him in such a big game.
Fabian Schar is definitely out after picking up a suspension at Old Trafford, which doesn’t leave Newcastle with too many defensive options as cover – with Sven Botman, Jamal Lascelles both out too. Lloyd Kelly will have to come in as a replacement.
In midfield, Howe should stick to his guns with the same solid trio that have brought him so much joy in recent games in Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes.
Up front, expect the Magpies to also play with the same attack they have deployed in the last four games, with Josh Murphy featuring alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
Can Spurs end Newcastle’s impressive run?
Newcastle are now one of the contenders for a top four finish after winning four straight games in the Premier League without conceding a single goal, the latest being a comfortable 2-0 win against United at Old Trafford.
That run has seen them score 14 goals. Isak in particular is on fire, scoring six times in those four matches. Murphy has also been a standout, netting three times in this run, while Joelinton has scored in back-to-back games.
Newcastle should arrive in London in a confident mood given Tottenham’s sketchy recent form. Spurs have just one win in their last seven games amid huge pressure on Postecoglou – whose side have struggled to produce consistency while being ravaged by injuries.
The Australian has also refused to relent on his attacking philosophy after scoring five and shipping eight goals in their last two home games – something that will encourage the Magpies.