Newcastle may have beaten the champions but Wembley is not their favourite venue and Paul Higham expects Spurs to put themselves right back in the title race.
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1pt Tottenham to win to nil at 13/10
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Spurs v Newcastle (Sky Sports Main Event at 1230)
Rafa Benitez engineered a miracle victory from behind against Man City, Tottenham did the same thing to beat Watford and that will do them the world of good after their bitterly disappointing cup exits.
Having Heung-min Son back from the Asian Cup is a real boost and he again looks likely to be the stand-out performer for Spurs, who could actually go second with a victory – what crisis!
Both midweek performances were eye-catching but it’s harder to think that Newcastle will carry theirs over into a trip to London than it is Spurs building on that late comeback to rekindle an albeit quite unlikely title challenge.
It will be another big test for the Harry Kane-less hosts but one they are more than capable of coming through, although they’ll be on their guard a lot more after Newcastle’s last game than they might otherwise have been.
Betting guide
Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Newcastle (Sky Bet odds: 5/1)
I think this could be a hard day’s work for Spurs as Newcastle will be up for this and will have a bit of extra energy in their legs after beating Man City, but it’s the home side who we’re taking to get the job done, even if it means leaving it late once again.
Best bet: Tottenham to win to nil at 13/10
Spurs don’t do draws so we can put a line through that one right away, but a gritty, ground-out victory is on the cards for the home side. Newcastle produced a great result against City, but lightning rarely strikes twice.
Goals: Heung-min Son to score anytime at 6/5
Eight goals in nine games tells you all you need to know. His all-round game is excellent and there aren’t enough adjectives to describe how important he is to this team. This period now could see him continue to get the plaudits he deserves, starting with another goal.
Sporting Life RequestABet: Tottenham to win to nil and Heung-min Son to score anytime at 3/1
Tottenham v Newcastle Opta stats
- Since losing both Premier League meetings with Newcastle in the 2015-16 season, Spurs have won each of their last three against the Magpies.
- None of Spurs’ last 20 Premier League home games against Newcastle have ended as a draw (12 wins for Spurs, 8 wins for Newcastle).
- Newcastle have lost their last seven visits to Wembley in all competitions since winning the 1955 FA Cup final against Man City – the worst ever losing run by a team at the stadium.
- Spurs have lost just one of their last 26 home Premier League games in February (W18 D7), a 0-4 defeat to Manchester United in 2007.
- Newcastle have collected just 12 points in their last 21 Premier League visits to London (P21 W3 D3 L15), with half of those coming against Tottenham (W2 D0 L1).
- Tottenham have won their last two Premier League games despite having conceded the first goal. They’ve never won three in a row after conceding first in the competition.
- Victory or defeat here would see Tottenham set a new Premier League record of most consecutive games without a draw (currently 28).
- Newcastle are looking to win consecutive Premier League games against ‘big six’ opposition for the first time since December 2015, with the second game in that sequence an away win at Tottenham.
- Tottenham’s Son Heung-min has scored eight goals in his last nine appearances for the club in all competitions.
- Salomon Rondon has scored six Premier League goals this season – twice as many as any other Newcastle player. However, the Venezuelan hasn’t scored in consecutive top-flight appearances since September 2016.
Odds correct as of 1645 GMT on 01/02/19
