Tottenham predicted XI vs Newcastle: De Zerbi faces stern test as Spurs eye first league win
Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi is demanding a response after a chastening opening-day defeat.
Spurs were comprehensively beaten 3-0 last weekend, leaving De Zerbi with plenty to address despite his expensively assembled squad.
The 5-1 EFL Cup win in midweek offered some encouragement for the North Londoners, but Newcastle is a far sterner test.
Match preview
De Zerbi will be hoping home comforts can spark an immediate turnaround.
Tottenham have won their opening home league game in each of the last five seasons, scoring 14 goals and conceding just once across those victories.
That record will be put under serious pressure by a Newcastle side that has enjoyed remarkable success against Spurs in recent years.
The Magpies have won six of their last eight Premier League meetings with Tottenham and have triumphed on three of their last four visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 14 games against the Magpies.
De Zerbi knows his team must improve considerably from the performance at Brentford, where Spurs conceded 26 shots and 3.87 expected goals.
There were signs of life in midweek. Savio scored and assisted on his debut, while new arrival Omar Marmoush could now make his first appearance for the club.
Meanwhile, Newcastle arrive in North London after drawing 2-2 with Liverpool on the opening weekend.
Matthias Jaissle’s side led twice before conceding a 99th-minute penalty, but there were plenty of encouraging signs in their first league outing under the new manager.
Anthony Elanga scored and Yoane Wissa impressed in a deeper attacking role.
Newcastle have won 13 Premier League away games against Tottenham, more than they have managed against any other opponent.
There should be goals again, too. This is the most played fixture in Premier League history without a goalless draw, with at least one goal scored in all 62 meetings.
Tottenham team news
James Maddison is a doubt after suffering a shoulder problem, although De Zerbi says it is not serious.
Defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro should start, and the ‘incredible‘ Savio is available after featuring in midweek.
Mohammed Kudus could return to the bench following his lengthy absence.
Marmoush is also available and could make his debut from the start after impressing De Zerbi in training.
Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert remain sidelined, while Pape Sarr’s availability is uncertain due to transfer speculation.
Tottenham predicted XI (4-3-3)
Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher; Savio, Omar Marmoush, Richarlison.
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