Tottenham were left chasing shadows against a rampant Manchester United side in midweek and Antonio Conte will be demanding an instant response from his players against Newcastle today. The Magpies’ 1-0 win over Everton on Wednesday pushed their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games however, and Eddie Howe’s side should be awkward opponents for Spurs in London.
Below, we’ve presented our stats pack for today’s contest which is brimming with info on all the usual bits and pieces from the teams’ Premier League seasons so far, including shots, xG, fouls, corners, cards and more. Our research should help to give you an edge over the bookies in the bet builder markets today.
If you want to read up on how to get the most out of my stats packs, then check out my Stats Pack Guide.
Predicted Lineups
Brazilian attacker Richarlison is still out injured for Tottenham, while Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevksi remains a doubt having not featured yet this week.
Emerson Royal is free again to play following his recent suspension. Despite Spurs’ poor performance at Old Trafford in midweek, Antonio Conte isn’t expected to make many changes to his XI.
Allan Saint-Maximin, Emil Krafth, Alexander Isak, Karl Darlow and Matt Ritchie are all absent for Newcastle through injury, while Joelinton is a doubt in midfield after he picked up a knee issue in midweek.
Joe Willock replaced Joelinton against Everton on Wednesday and the 23-year-old could slot into midfield again if the Brazilian doesn’t make it.
Team Stats
Tottenham are still in a third place in the Premier League, though their underlying stats for the campaign hint that their lofty position might be false.
Spurs are conceding more shots per 90 (15.82) than they are mustering at the right end (13.82) this season, while their xG against (1.79) is also higher than their xG for (1.61). Tottenham conceded 28 shots against Man Utd on Wednesday – which is the most faced by any team in a single Premier League fixture this season so far.
Newcastle take the Premier League’s best defensive record to the capital today having conceded just 0.82 goals per 90 to date. The Magpies’ xG against (1.54 per 90) suggests they should have conceded significantly more than they have done, however.
Eddie Howe’s side have been churning out the corners this term (7.45 per 90), while Newcastle rank as the Premier League’s fourth-best outfit for shots for per 90 (15.36).
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Harry Kane (3.60 shots per 90) and Heung-min Son (2.96) continue to dominate the majority of attacking metrics for Tottenham this season, though Spurs are incredibly reliant on their dynamic duo and they looked toothless when both were nullified in midweek.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (0.92 shots per 90) can offer a sporadic threat from range, while fellow midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur (0.61) had two attempts at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Jacob Murphy (2.58 shots per 90) has posted some impressive shooting figures for the campaign, though the versatile 27-year-old has made just four Premier League starts since the summer.
Callum Wilson (2.92) and Miguel Almiron (2.47) are safer bets for those hunting for shot options in Newcastle’s ranks. That pair had five attempts between them in the Magpie’s victory over Everton in midweek.
Player Goals and Assists
If you’re panning for goals in the Tottenham squad, then Harry Kane (nine) is still your best bet, as mundane as that might be. Heung-min Son just hasn’t been at it this season, though he did notch home and away against Newcastle last term.
Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has already beaten his goal haul from the 2021/22 campaign this time around. The 27-year-old scored for the third time this season against Everton last weekend.
Livewire Paraguayan Miguel Almiron was Newcastle’s match-winner in midweek and his goal against Everton pushed him to the top of the Magpies’ scoring charts for the season.
Callum Wilson can be deadly when fit and the 30-year-old has scored three times in seven starts this term. Bruno Guimaraes (four goal contributions) continues to impress in midfield. The 24-year-old lodged another assist against the Toffees on Wednesday.
Tottenham Cards
Rodrigo Bentancur (1.93 fouls per 90) can be hot-headed in midfield for Tottenham and the Uruguayan escaped a booking in midweek despite committing two fouls against United. Bentancur was booked in last season’s corresponding fixture against Newcastle.
Harry Kane (three cards) has been on the officials’’ watch list this season and the Tottenham talisman has the cards to show for it. Cristian Romero has only collected a single caution since the summer, though the tough Argentinean amassed eight bookings last season and his tally for 2022/23 should rise soon.
The midfield battle today should have plenty of South American spice and Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes (fouled 2.96 times per 90) should be on the end of a knock or two from Uruguay international Rodrigo Bentancur.
Fabian Schar (fouled 1.31 times per 90) faces a physical test against Harry Kane today in a clash that could draw interest from referee Jarred Gillett. At the other end, Callum Wilson (fouled 1.29 times per 90) is one to watch, with the aggressive Cristian Romero likely to mark him closely.
Match-Ups to watch
Rodrigo Bentancur vs Bruno Guimaraes
Harry Kane vs Fabian Schar
Cristian Romero vs Callum Wilson
Newcastle Cards
Newcastle have a reliable left-back in Dan Burn, though the giant defender can be troubled by pace and he has been carded twice already this season. Burn was booked when the Magpies last visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.
On the opposite flank, Kieran Tripper (two cards) won’t have an easy afternoon defending against Heung-min Son, while Sean Longstaff (1.56 fouls per 90) will have to add more menace and steel to his game today with Joelinton’s midfield muscle absent.
Emerson Royal is back in the fold following his recent ban and the Brazilian has been Spurs’ most-fouled player this term (1.74 per 90). Emerson has the speed to unsettle Dan Burn today.
Heung-min Son should be full of running again for Tottenham this afternoon. Watch out for his tussles with ex-Spurs defender Kieran Tripper when the South Korean raids down the left-hand side.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (fouled 1.48 times per 90) has been drawing numerous fouls from his midfield counterparts this term and his skirmishes with Sean Longstaff have card potential today.
Match-Ups to watch
Dan Burn vs Emerson Royal
Kieran Tripper vs Heung-min Son
Sean Longstaff vs Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
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This has all the makings of a great game. Two teams with plenty of attacking talent, and both have some incredibly feisty individuals. Hopefully the stats pack can help you pick apart those duels and land some winners.
Best of luck if you’re putting together a bet builder for this one. Please remember to Gamble responsibly and keep the stakes low.
