‘Getting battered’: Paul Merson predicts shock result for Newcastle United vs Tottenham match
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are set to clash in a highly anticipated Premier League fixture at St James’ Park this Sunday. Both teams are off to a strong start this season, and with aspirations of securing a top-four finish, this match promises to be an exciting contest. As the teams prepare for this crucial encounter, Paul Merson has offered his predictions, favoring Newcastle to come out on top.
Newcastle United has had a promising start to their Premier League campaign, securing four points from their first two matches. They opened the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Southampton, despite being reduced to ten men.
This was followed by a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, which kept them unbeaten ahead of their showdown with Tottenham. The Magpies will be eager to build on their solid start and make a statement in front of their home fans.
Tottenham Hotspur, on the other hand, has had a mixed start to the season. They began with a 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Leicester City, which raised some concerns about their ability to dominate weaker opponents.
However, they bounced back in style with a convincing 4-0 win over Everton, securing their first victory of the season. Despite this emphatic win, questions remain about Tottenham’s consistency, especially when playing away from home.
Paul Merson, the former Arsenal star and football pundit, has weighed in on the upcoming match, predicting a Newcastle victory. While he praised Tottenham’s dominant performance against Everton, Merson expressed concerns about their away form and psychological readiness for tough away fixtures like this one.
“Tottenham had a brilliant result when they beat Everton 4-0 last weekend. But I’m backing Newcastle to win this one,” Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda. He emphasized that Tottenham’s previous struggles in this fixture, particularly away from home, could play a significant role in the outcome of the match.
Merson also pointed out Tottenham’s shaky second-half performance against Leicester City, which he believes could be exploited by a motivated Newcastle side. “The fans at St James’ Park will definitely be up for this game. It’ll be a different atmosphere there on Sunday,” Merson continued. He predicted a 2-1 victory for Newcastle, citing the home crowd’s energy and the psychological challenge for Tottenham as key factors.
As both teams prepare for this crucial match, they are dealing with several injury concerns that could impact their performance. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Dominic Solanke and Richarlison are both sidelined due to injuries, while Rodrigo Bentancur is back in contention after recovering from his injury.
Newcastle United also faces their share of injury woes. Callum Wilson and Lewis Miley are confirmed absentees, and Joe Willock is racing against time to prove his fitness after picking up an injury in the Magpies’ Carabao Cup win against Nottingham Forest.
However, Newcastle received a significant boost with the return of Sandro Tonali. The Italian international played his first game for the club against Forest after serving a ten-month suspension and is expected to play a crucial role against Tottenham.
Despite these injury setbacks, both teams boast strong squads with the depth to ensure a competitive match. Tottenham will rely on the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son to lead their attack in the absence of Solanke and Richarlison. Meanwhile, Newcastle will look to players like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães to make the difference on their home turf.
As both sides aim for a top-four finish, this match could have significant implications for the rest of the season. A win for Newcastle would solidify their strong start and send a message to the rest of the league, while a victory for Tottenham would help them overcome their away-day jitters and build momentum.
The Newcastle United vs Tottenham match is shaping up to be one of the most exciting early-season fixtures in the Premier League. With both teams eager to prove their credentials and secure a spot in the top four, fans can expect a fiercely contested game.
Paul Merson’s prediction of a Newcastle win adds an extra layer of intrigue, but in football, anything can happen. All eyes will be on St James’ Park this Sunday as these two Premier League giants go head-to-head in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Read Also: Tottenham line up: Predicted XI vs Newcastle as Solanke, Son with newest signing decisions made