Tottenham Hotspur travel north to play Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday in the weekend’s early kick off.
Last time out, Spurs sealed three points against Nottingham Forest after two second half goals from Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro provided difference.
The race for the top four is really heating up with Ange Postecoglou‘s side capitalising on Aston Villa’s dropped points against Brentford.
On the weekend, Spurs will be returning to a stadium which will cause some of their players nightmares after what happened last season.
The Magpies are not quite operating at the same standard this season but have shown they can still prove a threat.
Tottenham did dismantle Newcastle in the reverse fixture earlier in the season with goals from Destiny Udogie, Richarlison and Heung-min Son seeing Spurs to a 4-1 win.
But with the Spurs attack not quite ticking in recent games, Postecoglou could look to make some changes on Saturday.
Since the return to Premier League action after the international break there has been some issues with Tottenham’s attack.
Timo Werner has continued to impress having joined on loan in the January transfer window with some defining involvements in the games since the return.
He has even been praised by Roy Keane who’s admitted he looks a real handful to play against.
The German has almost definitely nailed down the spot on the left wing now whilst Richarlison continues to battle with his knee injury.
Postecoglou’s attack does look like it’s missed the Brazilian as a focal point in recent weeks but he has been struggling to make his return.
The Spurs boss revealed last week that he was being rested for the game against Forest with a hope of returning for the game on Tyneside.
However, it is uncertain whether that will see the 26-year-old definitely return this weekend and bigger question marks would remain over his ability to start.
Postecoglou could look to make two changes for Newcastle clash
Tottenham’s injury list is virtually nil after what has been a difficult season fitness wise.
With only Manor Solomon and Ryan Sessegnon sidelined through long-term injuries, only Richarlison is left as a potential doubt coming out of the game against Forest.
However, there were some changes made during the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
After a turbulent first half, Postecoglou made two changes at the break and hooked off Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr.
In their places saw Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg come on and transform the game for the better.
It was a pragmatic decision made by the 58-year-old at half time and he did comment on it after the game in his press conference.
“It wasn’t anything Biss or Pape did. I just thought, I have the luxury of a strong squad now which I didn’t for the middle part of the year and I thought we needed some energy and legs in the midfield for the second half because I could see Forest were working really hard to maintain their grip on the game,” he said.
“I thought Pierre and Roddy were outstanding in the energy they brought and the quality they brought in the second half.”
It would not be a surprise to see either of these two midfielders come in from the start on the weekend with Bentancur potentially the more likely.
Hojbjerg has been heavily linked with a move away this summer so whether Postecoglou wants to rely on him may be a factor.
It does feel like the rest of the starting XI picks itself currently with Richarlison’s fitness the only potential factor to consider.
We will find out more on Friday when Postecoglou speaks to the media at Hotspur Way.
Predicted Tottenham XI v Newcastle United (4-3-3): Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Maddison, Werner, Son, Johnson