Tottenham Hotspur need a reaction this afternoon as they prepare to host Newcastle United for their first Premier League home game of the season.
Spurs’ new project got off to the worst possible start as the Lilywhites were completely outclassed by Brentford in the first game of the season.
Roberto De Zerbi admitted after the game that Tottenham have not gelled as a team yet, and the Italian will want a response from his players in front of their home fans.
The Lilywhites struggled at home last campaign, winning just three league games at N17, and that record has to improve significantly if the club want to challenge for a top six finish.
Tottenham are deemed slight favourites against Newcastle by Opta
The Magpies come into the game on the back of a strong performance at home against Liverpool in their first game of the season, with a stoppage-time equaliser from the Reds forcing them to settle for a point.
Opta’s Supercomputer has given Tottenham a 43.6 per cent chance of picking up their first win of the season this afternoon against Matthias Jaissle’s side.
Newcastle have been handed a 32.1 per cent chance of picking up an away win, while a draw has been deemed the least likely result at 24.3 per cent.
While Opta says De Zerbi’s side are marginal favourites, the supercomputer does not think there is a lot in it, suggesting that it could be a close game.
Key injury boost for Spurs ahead of Newcastle clash
While Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Xavi Simons are out of action for the Lilywhites, Tottenham may be boosted by the return of Mohammed Kudus to the bench for this afternoon’s clash.
Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven are expected to make their first league starts of the season after coming through the midweek Carabao Cup clash unscathed.
The visitors are missing some key players of their own, with Dan Burn, Joelinton, William Osula, and Tino Livramento ruled out for Newcastle’s trip to North London.