Spurs v Newcastle United predicted XIs: Two are doubts and 20 are ruled out as injury crisis deepens

Sunday afternoon brings a meeting of two defeats looking to bounce back from sobering midweek defeats at Tottenham Hotspur entertain Newcastle United.

What was a highly promising start to the life under Ange Postecoglou has been hit by an injury crisis and Spurs will head into their clash with the Magpies aiming for a first win in five Premier League games.  That poor form was extended by Thursday’s 2-1 home defeat against West Ham United on the same night Newcastle were punished for a lacklustre performance in their 3-0 loss at Everton.

Despite their underwhelming results earlier in the week, both sides remain in the hunt for a European place with fifth placed Spurs sat one point and two places above Eddie Howe’s side.

With an exciting clash lying in wait, both managers are facing a number of major decisions ahead of the game as they contend with a whole host of key absentees. 

Tottenham Hotspur Team News

The immediate concern for Postecoglou is the fitness on Son Heung-min after he was forced out of the action in the closing stages of the defeat against West Ham.  The South Korea international is expected to be available this weekend but there will be a late check on his fitness levels.

Despite the loss against the Hammers, there was some positive news for Spurs as midfielder Pape Sarr returned to the squad with a substitute appearance.  However, there is still a long list of players expected to miss out as Postecoglou’s squad has been decimated by injury.

Manor Solomon (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Ivan Perisic (knee), Micky van de Ven (thigh), Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle), James Maddison (ankle), Eric Dier (groin), Alfie Whiteman (ankle) and Ash Phillips (ankle) will all miss out.

Tottenham Hotspur Predicted XI

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Lo Celso, Richarlison; Son

Newcastle United Team News

Much like their hosts, the Magpies are still in the midst of a severe injury crisis that has threatened to derail their season.

Nick Pope joined that lengthy list of absentees when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in last weekend’s 1-0 home win against Manchester United and now looks likely to miss the vast majority of the remainder of the season.

There was a further concern for Eddie Howe when Magpies club captain Jamaal Lascelles sustained a dead leg in Thursday’s defeat against Everton.  The former Nottingham Forest centre-back should be available for the trip to North London.

However, there are still a further 11 absentees for Howe.  Sven Botman (knee), Callum Wilson (thigh), Dan Burn (back), Sean Longstaff (ankle) and Harvey Barnes (toe) are all believed to be closing on a return but Sunday’s game will come too early for them.

Joe Willock (calf), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Matt Targett (thigh) and Javi Manquillo (groin) all remain in the treatment room and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali continues to serve a lengthy suspension for breeching gambling laws in his home country.

Newcastle United Predicted XI

Dubravka; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Miley; Almiron, Isak, Gordon