Newcastle remained in top 10 as they picked up one point from the Stadium of Light, albeit conceding the equalized deep into the injury time and the Magpies now face another difficult game. Tottenham missed a great chance to finally beat Manchester United, but Spurs once again showed they can match the best of them and we definitely see them as favourites in this clash.

Alan Smith out for the season

Newcastle missed a great chance to record the third straight league victory as they conceded the equalizer in the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland deep into the injury time, although their win would probably been unfair to Black Cats, who dominated the large periods of the game. Alan Pardew’s side were nowhere to be found in the first half, when they were very lucky not to conceded a couple of goals and another performance like that is likely to cost them precious points against mighty Tottenham. Team’s form look to be on the downtrend as the Magpies had also lost to League Two side Stevenage before the Sunderland game and Alan Pardew’s side will have to show a massive improvement if they are to get something from this match.

Newcastle boss faces a real selection headache after Alan Smith joined Andy Carrol, Ryan Taylor and Hatem Ben Arfa in the infirmary, while Cheikh Tiote is out through suspension.

Pienaar joins Spurs

Despite not playing to their potential Tottenham came really close to beating Premiership champions Manchester United, which only goes to prove how much Spurs have progressed under Harry Redknapp. They have learned to pick up points even when not playing well, while it is perfectly clear nobody can stop them on their day. Tottenham now aim to return to winning ways against out-of-form Newcastle and this is definitely a game they can win. After quite a while, Harry Redknapp has almost full squad to choose from, and with Steven Pienaar arriving from Everton, ‘Arry now has excellent cover for every position in the team, which will come in handy in the second part of the season.

Jermaine Defoe could be restored to the starting line-up with Peter Crouch dropping to the bench, whereas Ledley King, Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O’Hara and Jonathan Woodgate remain long-term absentees.

Verdict

Newcastle have started to struggle of late with Magpies having real problems to cope with the absence of top scorer Andy Carrol, and now Smith and Tiote are also unavailable. High-flying Tottenham are expected to take advantage of the situation and record an important victory that would keep them in the title race.

Our prediction: Away win

Odds: 2.30

Bookmaker: 888Sport