Premier League: Compelling North London Clash with Attack All the Rage

Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United

A meeting of two Premier League sides who want to become title contenders.

It won’t happen this season, of course, but both Spurs and Newcastle have shown glimpses they are heading in the right direction.

Spurs finished in a fine fourth place under Antonio Conte in 2022, an achievement matched by the Geordies last term.

The question now is can they become regulars in the top four and, ultimately, mount a title bid and a sustained one at that?

Talking Points

For all their Premier League 2023 highlights and wider aspirations, the reality here and now is that if you had offered either side a top four spot at the beginning of this campaign, the majority of fans would have bitten your hand off.

That they currently lie in fifth and seventh spots, respectively, also show it’s a realistic target.

Champions League football can provide a financial footing to improve a club and that has been shown on Tyneside where Newcastle’s record against the top sides this season has been impressive.

Their 1-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend was more dominant than the solitary goal that separated the sides, while Chelsea, Arsenal and, most impressively of all, PSG, have also been despatched in the North East recently.

Unbeaten in their first 10 league matches, Spurs have also enjoyed eye-catching wins against United and Liverpool until a spate of injuries and suspensions saw them promptly go down to three successive losses.

However, they have not let their spirit slip and their attacking aspirations were duly rewarded with a 3-3 draw at champions Manchester City last weekend which was an acid test of their character.

They were also the better side against West Ham on Thursday night, but failure to convert their chances proved costly.

They also will have an element of revenge on their mind.

That’s after their most recent meeting versus Newcastle in April, a game which Spurs trailed 5-0 by the 21st minute en route to a 6-1 thrashing.

Interim manager Cristian Stellini was sacked immediately afterwards as Spurs’ season petered out and Newcastle claimed the final Champions League place at the expense of Liverpool and the North Londoners, who ultimately slipped to finish in eighth spot.

After their midweek exertions (Newcastle were punished for late mistakes in a 3-0 reverse at Everton) and with injuries affecting both, don’t be surprised if this is a clash between two tired outfits.

That should not spoil the entertainment value, though, between two teams who love to attack.

History

As well as the 6-1 hammering, when Jacob Murphy (two), Alexander Isak (two), Joelinton, and Callum Wilson were on target, Newcastle won 2-1 in North London last season.

Their scorers on that occasion were Wilson and Miguel Almiron with, guess who, Harry Kane on target for Spurs.

The Lillywhites fared better the previous season with a league double of their own.

They won 3-2 on Tyneside under the short-time stewardship of Nuno Espirito Santo with Tanguy Ndombele, Kane, and Son Heung-Min the scorers before a 5-1 thrashing in the return game when Ben Davies, Matt Doherty, Son, Emerson Royal, and Steven Bergwijn found the net.

Newcastle have won only three of their last 12 meetings.

Overall, Spurs have enjoyed 73 triumphs, Newcastle 61, and 34 matches have ended all square.

That included their very first encounter which came in the 1905 FA Cup second round when Joseph Walton and Jimmy Howie traded goals in a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane.

The replay went the way of the Geordies when Bill Appleyard, Howie, and Ronald Orr scored in a 4-0 win.

Newcastle went all the way to the final that year where they were defeated by Aston Villa.

Betting Tip

There’s little to choose between the sides with the SBOTOP Premier League 2023 betting odds.

The hosts are priced 1X2 @ 2.28 compared to Newcastle 1X2 @ 2.63. Likewise, you can back the home side with Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.08 and the visitors +0.25 @ 1.82.

For two teams who like to attack, Over 3.00 goals is on offer at a fairly paltry @ 1.83, so you may find better value in Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.14, 4-6 @ 2.53, or 0-1 @ 4.84.

A repeat of last season’s fixture will pay out @ 10.00 with Correct Score 1-2. I am not going to plump for any of these options. Instead, I expect it to be level pegging and only their third draw since 2011.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.