Newcastle V Tottenham Preview

Internationals are out the way and the Premier League starts back up again this weekend.  About time too, the England team do what they always do, get themselves in a good position and then throw it all a way.  Ok, ok yes we have qualified for the European Championships but at a price.  Capello got nervous took off Bent and threw Rooney up front by himself, where he was going to get no service.  Bring on the inevitable and all of a sudden we are already on the back foot next year.  Well lets worry about that at the end of the season.

Newcastle V Tottenham

Tottenham's next game of the season is Newcastle United away, a team that are 4th in the league and have shown the credentials so far of being in the mix at the end of the season.  There record this season is 4 wins and 3 draws.  Wins against Sunderland and Wolves away, Fulham and Blackburn at home.  Draws with Arsenal, QPR and Aston Villa.  I certainly would like to think that Tottenham will be providing Newcastle with a firmer test on Sunday.

Newcastle this season have showed a lot more resilience, not conceding more than 1 goal in against any opposition in the Premier League.  Only Nottingham Forest have scored more that 1 against Newcastle this season and that was in the Cup.  Demba Ba has started to show the form that was expected after his signing from West Ham United.  Ba is a player that showed promise at West Ham and then it faded and I am sure it will be the same at Newcastle.

Tottenham will be looking to build on their recent good form.  Beating Wolves, Wigan, Liverpool and Arsenal.  Only losses have come against the Manchester clubs.  Concern for the weekend is if Adebayor is going to be fit, a player that has showed why Tottenham were so adamant to get him this season.  He shows a class that was missed at Tottenham last season and makes a big difference when he is in the side.  The trouble may well be how we shape up against Newcastle of Adebayor isn't fit.  Do we go with Modric out on the right with Sandro (If fit) and Parker in the middle or Pav up front with Defoe and VDV out wide on the right.  VDV showed his biggest weakness in the last game against Arsenal and this his ability to defend.  We need to be able to ensure that we can defend and break at the weekend.  Maybe it's an option for Livermore or Townsend to play, Bale could play on the right with Townsend on the Left or Livermore in the middle with Parker and Modric on the right?  I hope that Adebayor is fit because it will make Harry's choices easy for the weekend.

Tottenham have not had the best of time at St James Park, we were lucky to get a draw at St James Park last season with Lennon scoring at the death.  Before that we lost 4 in a row at their place. 

I think this will be an interesting game and much will depend on the Tottenham team that plays.  History sees this as a win for Newcastle or a draw.  I on the other hand think that Spurs will win by the odd goal.

Team Prediction:

Friedal, Ekotto, Kaboul, King, Walker, Bale, Parker, Sandro, Modric, VDV, Adebayor

Score Prediction: Newcastle 2-3 Tottenham

COYS