Newcastle v Spurs: Line-ups, stats and preview

Preview for Newcastle v Spurs

Eddie Howe says Newcastle have no intention of relinquishing their EFL Cup crown and will hope to keep rotation down to a minimum when Spurs visit St James’ Park tomorrow night.

Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy ended last season when Howe’s side beat Liverpool in the final at Wembley, sparking widespread celebrations across the city.

And the Newcastle boss has indicated he wants more of that and will take few risks against a Spurs side that has excelled on the road this season.

He said: “It is important for this game to make the right decision; we want to progress. The competition means a lot to us, we are current holders, we don’t want to give that up easily. However, I have a squad, I need to try and get the balance right, there are players who need the football.”

Howe is having to balance the demands of the Premier League, the Champions League and the EFL Cup and, on the face of it, appears to be struggling with his team having won just three of their opening nine league games.

The EFL Cup will not be sacrificed, though.

“It’s made my desire to win even stronger,” Howe added. “Having gone through the experience of winning, the high that you get, seeing the joy in everyone, seeing how that united the city in the celebrations – that can only make you want to experience that more.

“I have to say we’re really enjoying it [so many games]. I love the different focuses that those competitions bring, the different challenges.

“I really love this competition and I love preparing for football matches and managing games. So from my perspective it’s fine and I think the players feel the same way.”

Spurs arrive on the back of a 3-0 win at Everton. Thomas Frank’s side have won four and drawn one of their five league away games this season with the former Brentford boss instilling a greater level of structure to their play.

Howe said: “This will be a really tough game against a team that is in form away from home. It is going to be a real challenge for us. Thomas Frank’s teams are very aggressive off the ball – they are very well organised. It is a good game for us, a tough game, but one we look forward to.”

Frank admitted he will be making changes to his side.

He said: “Yes, that’s the challenge and the dilemma. Of course, now it’s a cup tournament. It’s one game. So, it’s a little bit more at stake, you can say, but it needs to be the same mindset. So, I changed four players from Monaco to Everton and three from Villa to Monaco. So, of course there will be a little bit of rotation, like I’ve basically have done from game to game, because we played every third or fourth day, you need to do it. Every club does it.

“If you want to compete, that’s the next thing. So, if you want to compete over 60 games, you can’t play the same 11 for 60 games because risk of injuries and fatigue and lack of performance, that will just naturally happen. So, it’s that fine balance to try to manage that, but that’s what we’re up for. That’s one of the beauties of being head coach and sleepless nights to try to figure everything out. That’s part of the good fun.”

Team news for Newcastle v Spurs

Newcastle defender Sven Botman could play despite sustaining a nasty cut to the head in Saturday’s  2-1 win over Fulham. Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento remain sidelined.

Spurs reported no new injury concerns after the game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Cristian Romero, Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie are edging closer to full fitness but won’t be involved. Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Koto Takai remain sidelined.

Predicted line-ups for Newcastle v Spurs

Newcastle: Ramsdale; Krafth, Schar, Thiaw, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey; Elanga, Barnes, Osula

Spurs: Vicario; Gray, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bergvall, Sarr, Johnson, Odobert, Tel; Richarlison

How to watch Newcastle v Spurs: TV and online streams

Newcastle versus Spurs kicks off tomorrow at 8pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV1 and Sky Sports Main Event. You can also stream on the ITVX app and via Sky Go.

Stats for Newcastle v Spurs

• Newcastle have won four of their last five matches in all competitions
• Newcastle have won their last three meetings with Spurs

Prediction for Newcastle v Spurs

It will depend largely on the respective XIs put out by Howe and Frank.

Don’t be surprised though if this goes all the way to spot-kicks. Both will view this competition as a realistic chance of silverware. Newcastle are strong at home and Spurs have been excellent away.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Spurs