Chris Sutton has said that he expects an open game between Newcastle United and Tottenham on Sunday, with the pundit backing the Magpies to emerge comfortable winners.
Spurs’ Champions League hopes are now hanging by a thread after they fell to a 3-2 loss to Bournemouth at home.
That means that Cristian Stellini’s men travel to St James’ Park three points behind Newcastle, having played a game more than them.
So, a defeat on Sunday would all but end Tottenham’s hopes of finishing in the top four.
Eddie Howe’s side had been in excellent form until last weekend when they fell to a shock 3-0 defeat at Villa Park.
Sutton believes that the Magpies will want to bounce back from the loss and make a statement in front of their home fans.
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The pundit insisted that Tottenham are simply not deserving of a place in the top four and backed Newcastle to effectively end the Lilywhites’ season on Sunday.
The former Celtic star told BBC Sport: “I know Tottenham have got Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, who is coming into form, but I am not backing them any more.
“It has been a strange old season for Spurs and I don’t think they will get in the Champions League places from here. They don’t deserve to.
“I feel like we are approaching the stage of the season where all that Tottenham fans will be hoping for is that Arsenal don’t win the Premier League but, for now, Spurs still have a chance of making the top four.
“So this is a big one. Newcastle will take the game to Tottenham, and I can see it being quite open.
“I also think the Magpies will bounce back from their defeat by Aston Villa, and they know they can take a big step towards the Champions League themselves if they win this one.”
Prediction: 3-1
Spurs Web Opinion
I do not think any Spurs fan would disagree with Sutton’s assertion that we do not deserve to finish in the top four.
It is quite unbelievable that we are still in with a fighting chance of doing so, given how poorly we have played for the majority of the campaign.
It looks quite likely that our Champions League qualification pursuit will end at St James’ Park.
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