Paul Merson on who will win between Newcastle and Tottenham

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has given his prediction on who he thinks will win the Premier League opener between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park.

The former Arsenal midfielder believes that Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be held to a stalemate in the north east.

Newcastle have lost their last two league meetings with Tottenham, failing to score in both those games; they last lost three in a row against the Lilywhites in December 2005 (four consecutive defeats, all without scoring).

At St James’ Park, Newcastle have lost three of their last four league clashes with Spurs, while Harry Kane will be looking to score his first Premier League goal in the month of August to finally silence the naysayers.

Merson told Sky Sports: “This is a tough one. This was an early game last year, and Spurs got a couple of late goals, but I feel they’ll find it hard due to the World Cup.

“Spurs just haven’t got their players back. Rafa Benitez will make them hard to beat. Spurs won’t have the goals early on so Newcastle will hold on this year. I’m going for a goalless draw.”

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