Paul Merson has predicted that Tottenham will pip Newcastle United to a top-four finish this season, pointing out that the Lilywhites are much more accustomed to winning football matches at the business end of the season.
Newcastle have undoubtedly outperformed expectations so far this season but wins have dried up for Eddie Howe’s men since the Premier League’s restart.
While Tottenham have been extremely inconsistent since October, they have continued to pick up wins along the way and their latest 2-0 victory over West Ham has propelled them back into fourth place ahead of the Magpies.
The race for Champions League qualification went right down to the wire last season, with Antonio Conte’s men pipping their North London rivals, Arsenal, at the very end.
It looks like fourth spot could once again be heavily contested till the final few matches of the campaign but Merson believes that Spurs hold the advantage over Newcastle in the race.
The former Arsenal midfielder told Sportskeeda: “Tottenham are in the FA Cup, they’re in the Champions League and they are in the top four in the Premier League.
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“We’re sitting thinking that Spurs are blowing hot and cold. But the fact is that they blow hot more often than they are cold.
“They’ve got Harry Kane. He is a big difference-maker for them. Spurs are slightly more of a winning side than Newcastle United. I expect them to end up in the top four ahead of the Magpies.”
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I do not think we should jump the gun by assuming that the race for the fourth spot will just be between Spurs and Newcastle, with more than a third of the season still left to be played. Liverpool have just the league to focus on, and that means they are very much a threat.
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