The national teams should be the focus of attention during the international break. In the media, however, a completely different club caused quite a stir last week, and not even for sporting reasons. We are of course talking about Newcastle United.

After a lengthy back and forth, the takeover by a Saudi Arabian consortium was finalised. The sheikhs put more than 300 million pounds on the table and already have big plans on how they want to lead the Magpies first to the national and then to the international top.

However, before any medium- and long-term plans can be made, points are first needed in the short term, as the Black and Whites are currently in a relegation spot in the Premier League table. This is likely to be one of the main reasons why the lower odds are being offered on an away win in Sunday afternoon’s clash between Newcastle and Tottenham.

If you look at the table constellation in isolation, it is of course understandable that a prediction on the success of Spurs is considered more likely between Newcastle and Tottenham.

However, the visitors from London should not be overestimated, as Harry Kane and Co. have suffered three defeats in their last four league games. Only a narrow success at home against Aston Villa shortly before the international break ended the obvious negative trend. Can they now achieve a second win in a row at St. James Park?

Newcastle – Statistics & current form

Will we see Newcastle United in the Champions League soon? What may initially sound like an extremely belated April Fool’s joke could actually become a reality in a few years’ time. Since last week, the Magpies have new owners.

The fact that it is a Saudi Arabian consortium did not make many football traditionalists, 50+1 supporters and human rights activists feel very comfortable. The fans, on the other hand, gathered outside the stadium and celebrated the takeover. Particularly, it seems, as the less popular old owner Mike Ashley is now finally out of power.

Is Steve Bruce on the Magpies bench for the last time?

While the Black and Whites are already making impressive plans for the future and Jürgen Klopp, among others, is talking about Newcastle soon becoming a European football power due to unlimited financial resources, the current sporting situation is still causing a lot of sweat on the foreheads of the new managers. With only three points after seven matchdays, Steve Bruce’s team is in penultimate place in the table. The Magpies are one of four teams still waiting for their first win of the current Premier League season.

Adding to the coach’s woes is the fact that he does not have a great deal of credit with the new owners. Recently, prominent names such as Frank Lampard, Zinedine Zidane, Steven Gerrard and Antonio Conte have been brought up as potential successors to the experienced Englishman. It will therefore be interesting to see how the current team has coped with the turbulent days and stands behind its own coach.

Because the question marks are quite pronounced below the line, we would give a clear rejection to a prediction on a home win in the duel Newcastle vs Tottenham. Even a point win for the relegation candidates is relatively unlikely. This is not least due to the fact that Steve Bruce has only won four of his 26 matches against Spurs in his long career as a coach. At least he can draw on a full complement of players, with the exception of the injured Dubravka and Dummett.

Projected Newcastle line-up:
Darlow; Fernandez, Lascelles, Clark; Manquillo, Willock, Hayden, Longstaff, Ritchie; Wilson, Saint-Maximin

Last matches played by Newcastle:

Tottenham – Statistics & current form

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club are on a somewhat smaller roll this season. One could come to this conclusion in view of the low activity in the transfer window during the summer. In fact, the Londoners are still lagging behind the expectations in the Premier League. After a promising start with three 1-0 victories in a row, however, the form curve has recently shown a clear downward trend.

Three of the last four matches were lost for the capital club. It was only just before the international break that they managed to win again with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa. Eighth place after seven matches is no cause for concern, but new coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s approach, based on efficiency and defensive stability, is not universally appreciated by supporters.

Can Spurs get a grip on their defence again?

With only six goals, Harry Kane, Hyeung-Min Son and colleagues even scored twice less than the upcoming opponents from Newcastle. Unlike at the beginning of the season, when the defence was still very good, there have been many goals conceded recently. Ten goals conceded in four games is a catastrophic figure for the top team from London. The focus at the weekend should therefore be on improving the game against the ball.

Between Newcastle and Tottenham, the prediction of a “to-nil” victory for the visitors is therefore a conceivable alternative. The betting market “Will they both score? No” should also be taken into account. In five of the seven Spurs matches, such a bet would have gone through. Sessegnon and Bergwijn will not be available. The extent to which the four South Americans in total will play a role in the starting eleven again also remains an open question in view of the late return after the international break.

Predicted Tottenham line-up:
Lloris; Tanganga, Rodon, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Skipp; Lucas, Ndombele, Son; Kane

Last matches played by Tottenham:

Newcastle – Tottenham Direct Comparison / H2H Balance

This is the 139th time that Newcastle and Tottenham have met in the top flight of the English Football League. With 61 wins compared to 48 defeats, Spurs lead the direct comparison.

Furthermore, the Magpies are now winless in four home games against their upcoming opponents (one draw, three defeats). Recent memories of the capital club are positive, however, as the Black and Whites fought back from a goal down to earn a late point in each of their pre-season matches.

Newcastle – Tottenham Tip

Tottenham have attracted attention on several occasions in the recent past by keeping their heads down against supposedly weaker teams and scoring regularly. They have lost only one of their last 18 Premier League games against clubs in a relegation spot at the start of a matchday. Nevertheless, Sunday afternoon’s encounter at St James Park will be anything but a walk in the park.

Especially the fact that Spurs lost their last two away games and currently give up as few shots on goal on average per game as neither under Mourinho, nor under Pochettino makes the task no easier. Between Newcastle and Tottenham, the distribution of betting odds is understandable, but we still think a bet on the guest is a bit too risky.

Instead, our view goes in the direction of the “both score” betting market. In five of seven games involving Tottenham, only one team scored. In general, the Santo eleven needs to orientate itself more towards the defence again in order to get better results. We therefore expect the Lilywhites to be more focused and possibly end up without conceding a goal.

In order to limit the risk a bit more, we try to bet on only one of the two teams to score in the Newcastle vs Tottenham match. In our eyes, it is quite unlikely that Steve Bruce still has a future with the Magpies. The takeover during the week has now even led to a further decline in his standing within the club. Therefore, we would not be surprised if Tottenham win the match by nil