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Full Record of Spurs -v- Newcastle United

 
Prem         Pl   W   D   L    For-Ag  Pts
Home         22  12   1   9    35 -28  37
Away         22   5   5  12    28 -45  20
==========================================
Total(Prem)  44  17   6  21    63 -73  57
==========================================
Lge Div 1
Home         43  24   7  12    87 -48  59
Away         43  15  14  14    70 -76  45
==========================================
Total(Div 1) 86  39  21  26   157 -124 109
==========================================
Lge Div 2
Home          6   1   3   2     6 - 7   5
Away          6   3   0   3     6 - 4   6
==========================================
Total(Div 2) 12   4   3   5    12 -11  11
==========================================
Total(Prem)  44  17   6  21    63 -73  57
Total(Div 1) 86  39  21  26   157 -124 109
Total(Div 2) 12   4   3   5    12 -11  11
==========================================
Grand Total 142  60  30  52   232 -208 176
==========================================

Last Six League results:-

Newcastle  -    LDLWWW
(Championship)

Sheff. Wed 2-1   Newcastle
Newcastle  1-1   Leeds
Ipswich    3-1   Newcastle
Newcastle  4-1   Preston N.E.
Cardiff    0-2   Newcastle
Newcastle  3-0   Barnsley

Spurs      -    WWLWWW

C. Palace  0-1   Spurs
Spurs      2-0   Arsenal
West Ham   1-0   Spurs
Spurs      2-1   Man Utd
Leicester  1-6   Spurs
Hull       1-7   Spurs

Back to business, and Spurs have a score to settle!

At last, after almost three months since the last game it is Matchday One of the 2017-18 Premier League Season. Not unusually, the programme takes place over the course of three days, and it actually kicks off tonight (Friday) at The Emirates Stadium where Arsenal host Leicester. In total there will be five televised games this week-end, including our game at Newcastle which does not kick off until 1.30pm on Sunday.

A stack of cash has been spent, with the Manchester Clubs the biggest spenders, but quite predictably (at the time of writing) Spurs have yet to make even one signing, although Mauricio Pochettino has assured us that two or three players will come in before the window closes at the end of the month. The firmest favourite to arrive seems to be Everton's Ross Barkley, with Daniel Levy (as usual) holding out for the best deal, in a market where even Watford have paid a record £18.5 million for Burnley's Andre Gray, who scored a whole 9 goals last season. Chelsea are said to be interested in Barkley, but the feeling is he'd have more chance of first team football with Tottenham, although Mauricio wants to promote tough competition for places. Spurs do have £50 million plus to spend following the high profile departure of Kyle Walker to Man City, plus the less publicised income from the sales of N'Jie, Fazio and Bentaleb.

What are your predictions for the week-end, or indeed for the whole season? This could be your best start for online betting, whatever you think. Personally, I think Spurs face a struggle to match last season's achievements in terms of points gained (86) and position (2nd). I do think that we will once again challenge for a top four spot, but I want a trophy and I want us to improve our performance in The Champions League.

Nobody needs reminding of the last time we played at St. James Park, Newcastle on May 15th 2016. Spurs had secured their highest ever Premier League position (until last season, of course), but fell disgracefully to a side that had been relegated, and which even finished with 10 men after Mitrovic was sent off with a quarter of the game remaining. I'm sorry I reminded you, but that result must surely drive our team more than anything this week, as we seek revenge, and more importantly a good start to our 26th Premier League campaign.

For "The Toon" this will be their 23rd such campaign, having missed the first season, before Kevin Keegan led them to a convincing promotion, and after suffering relegation twice. To their credit, the Tynesiders have won their way back to the top (as Champions) at the first attempt on both occasions, firstly with former Spur Chris Hughton at the helm in 2009-10, and now with Rafa Benitez in charge. Chris Hughton has now led Brighton into the Premier League of course, and it was only a late equaliser by Aston Villa's Jack Grealish that prevented Brighton from pipping Newcastle to that top place at the end of last season.

Newcastle's first Premier League game, back in August 1993 was at home to Spurs, who won 1-0 thanks to a Teddy Sheringham goal, and you don't want another reminder of their last Premier League game!

With three defeats in their last 10 games (at home to Fulham and away against Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich) Newcastle's late season form lacked a degree of quality and consistency, and like any promoted side, considerable investment was surely required by the controversial Mike Ashley's "Toon". Alan Shearer certainly thinks so, with Benitez allegedly promised £90 million whilst "only" £30 million has been spent so far.

Like Spurs, Newcastle will probably be operating right up to the closure of the transfer window. The signings of Javier Manquillo from Atletico Madrid, who hardly convinced on loan at Sunderland last season, and Christian Atsu (who was on loan from Chelsea last year) are not too encouraging, although 26 year old defender Florian Eibar was a regular 90 minute man for Spanish club Eibar last season.

Rafa does have former Spur DeAndre Yedlin, and the well known Mohamed Diame, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle among his squad which is not inconsiderable in numbers, and still also includes Mitrovic, who was sent off in our last visit. Gayle is a slight doubt for Sunday, due to a hamstring injury, and Yedlin is out for a week or two more with a similar problem.

We wait to hear whether our new number two Kieran Trippier will make this game. I personally doubt it, after seeing him hobble off at Wembley in our final pre-season win against Juventus. Victor Wanyama has had a knee problem keeping him out for the last three pre-season games, but may start. We have to wait for the fitness of Son Heung-min, Danny Rose and Erik Lamela. Rose will not be in the club's best books this week anyway after his "candid" interview for "The Sun".

Kieran Trippier's ankle injury has been confirmed as ligament damage, so he will need some recovery time, and will definitely be absent. Mauricio Pochettino has said he will look at his options nearer kick-off time, which means either a back three with Dier to the right of Alderweireld and Vertonghen, and either Mousa Sissoko or Kyle Walker-Peters as right wing-back. Of course, a straight back four is also an option, featuring either Dier or Walker-Peters, who would be making his debut if he appears. There is good news to report, with the fitness of both Victor Wanyama and Son Heung-min. If Moussa Sissoko plays any part he would get a hot reception from his former fans! I do think that Spurs will take their revenge and start with a win, but it will be by no more than a two goal margin, unlike those sensational closing away wins of last season!

Here's to a great season, and don't forget to look out for the Spurs Odyssey report on Sunday night!

Match referee Andre Marriner was in charge of our last game, the sensational 7-1 win at Hull on 21st May. On another happy note, Mr. Marriner last refereed us against Newcastle when we beat them 4-0 in a Capital One Cup game in December 2014! (Spurs 4 Newcastle 0)

· "It was Twenty Years ago today!" - On the opening day of the season in 1997, Les Ferdinand and David Ginola (signed from Newcastle) made their Spurs debut, but we lost at home to Manchester United.

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