Newcastle United have had a miserable start to the Premier League season under new manager Steve Bruce, and the poor run could continue when they face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Magpies have lost both their matches, while Spurs have won one and somehow secured a point against champions Manchester City.
Bruce and co. will need a miracle and great performances from his players to even secure a point against Spurs this weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino has a good record against Newcastle, having won the last four games against the Magpies in the Premier League.
Let’s take a look at 3 key battles in the game between Tottenham and Newcastle United.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United – 3 Key Battles
Jonjo Shelvey vs Tanguy Ndombele
Jonjo Shelvey has been the only Newcastle United player to get on the scoresheet this season, when he scored a consolation goal against Norwich City last weekend.
The former Liverpool player seems to be the only midfielder who can create something for the Magpies.
Shelvey will be against a tough opponent in Spurs’ Tanguy Ndombele who has been good so far since signing for the club in the summer transfer window.
Ndombele could get a taste of what the Premier League is all about when he comes up against the hard-tackling Shelvey.
Harry Kane vs Jamaal Lascelles
It’s most likely going to be one-way traffic for the home side on Sunday and the man leading the line for Spurs will be Harry Kane, who had a rather quiet day against Manchester City. Kane, though, scored twice on the opening day comeback win against Aston Villa.
On Sunday, he will come up against an underrated defender in Jamaal Lascelles, who is one of Newcastle’s most important players.
Lascelles is a quick and physical player, while Kane is a fantastic goalscorer. This will be one battle to watch out for, and could potentially decide the game owing to how prolific Kane is.
Son Heung-min vs Emil Krafth
Tottenham have missed their South Korean attacker Son Heung-min, who was not eligible for selection for the first two games of the season through suspension. Son’s pace, clever running, as well as finishing ability, make Spurs a stronger side, and manager Mauricio Pochettino could throw the South Korean into the starting XI against Newcastle on Sunday.
Son could play on the left, and might be up against new right-back/right wing-back Emil Krafth, who made his debut against Norwich City last weekend, and didn’t have a great start to his Magpies career as his team lost 3-1.
Spurs could perhaps exploit the right side of the Newcastle defence, and use Son’s pace to target Krafth.