Having won just one of their last four league games, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur are now in desperate need of some points from the last two games of the season, as they are still embroiled in the fight for a top-4 finish this season. They in the 4th place at the moment, two points better off Chelsea, who also have two games left in the season. The Blues are expected to continue their winning run so Spurs should look to get back to winning ways when they welcome Newcastle United to Wembley.
After the loss to West Brom, Pochettino will want his side to step up their game his mid-week and will want them to get the better of Rafa Benitez’s side, who have now lost three back to back league games. The Magpies have very little to play for but Spurs need a win to stay above Chelsea in the table and Pochettino is expected to go for the kill with his strongest set up in this game.
Here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Team News:
In early team news, Harry Winks is joined by Serge Aurier on the sidelines for this game against Newcastle United. Jan Vertonghen might miss out with an ankle sprain but Mousa Dembele should be back fit, after nursing his foot injury this week.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Defence:
Hugo Lloris has not had the best games recently and will desperately want to keep a clean sheet, playing at home in this game. He will be helped by Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld, in central defence, with Vertonghen not fully fit for this tie.
Danny Rose might be replaced by Ben Davies at left-back while Kieran Tripper will keep his place in the side, in the absence of Aurier in this game.
Midfield:
With Dembele returning, Pochettino might stick to his productive midfield pairing of Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier, both of who provide great balance to this Spurs side.
Attack:
Harry Kane has not been the same since returning from the injury but needs to step up now, if Spurs are to qualify for the Champions League. He will continue to lead the line and will have Christian Eriksen, who played in a deeper role last weekend, to help him on the right flank.
Son Heung-Min has also lost his touch in front of goal but deserves to start this game on the left flank while Dele Alli, who also needs to step up in this game, will start in the no.10 role.
Here is how they might line up:
