On Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur will travel to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United in their third Premier League match of the season. Spurs are coming off a dominant 4-0 win over Everton, while Newcastle will be eager to improve their goal-scoring after a somewhat lucky 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
**Newcastle’s Recent Form and Challenges**
Newcastle’s start to the season has been inconsistent. Although they have accumulated 4 points from their first two games, their performances have been less than impressive. After a solid defensive effort in their opener, they struggled to create clear chances against Bournemouth, with the match marked by controversy, including a disallowed goal by Dango Ouattara for a handball. Injuries have further complicated Newcastle’s situation, placing additional pressure on manager Eddie Howe to find solutions before the match against Spurs.
**Injury Concerns**
Newcastle’s injury list is growing. Midfielder Joe Willock, who scored the team’s only open-play goal this season, is sidelined with a thigh injury. He is joined by key players Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles, and Lewis Miley, with Fabian Schar also suspended. Howe will need to make tactical adjustments to cope with these absences.
**Eddie Howe’s Adjusted 4-3-3 Formation**
Eddie Howe is likely to maintain his preferred 4-3-3 formation but will need to make adjustments due to the injury crisis and lack of form in certain areas.
**Newcastle’s Predicted Lineup Against Spurs**
Lewis Hall, who played 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup against Nottingham Forest, might return to the starting lineup after replacing Lloyd Kelly against Bournemouth.
In midfield, Sandro Tonali could make his first Premier League start in nearly a year, following his eligibility after a betting ban. The Italian, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan, may replace Sean Longstaff, who is expected to be a backup once the squad is fully fit.
Howe may also consider changes to his attacking trio. Alexander Isak is likely to keep his spot, but Harvey Barnes, who assisted in the Bournemouth match, could be given a starting role. If Barnes starts, Anthony Gordon might switch to the right wing, a position he has played before.
Newcastle’s match against Spurs will test Howe’s tactical skills and the squad’s depth. With key players missing, a well-balanced 4-3-3 formation will be crucial for breaking down Spurs’ defense and aiming for a positive result.
