Newcastle vs Tottenham
Venue: St James’ Park
Kick off: 12:30PM
Following a summer of disappointment for both sides, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur lock horns at St James’ Park this afternoon in their opening Premier League fixture of the campaign.
This is the fourth time that the sides have met on the opening weekend of a Premier League season, making it the most contested of any curtain-raising fixture.
Frustrated Toon boss Rafael Benitez has once again had his hands tied behind his back during the summer, having been made to settle for low-costing players – £9.5 million Japanese striker Yoshinori Muto being their marquee signing – and loan recruits.
Newcastle still very much tick all the boxes for a club being on the brink of crisis, with popular manager Benitez being pushed closer to the exit, players going on strike over a bonus row – which has since been resolved – and supporters threatening to revolt.
Meanwhile, Tottenham became the first Premier League side to fail to make a signing since the summer window was introduced in 2003.
Mauricio Pochettino, to his credit, has managed to put on a brave face when talking to the press, insisting that he is more than happy with his current squad. Spurs did, it should be remembered, tie star man Harry Kane down to a new contract right at the start of the summer.
Newcastle United possible XI: Dubravka, Dummett, Clark, Lascelles, Yedlin, Kennedy, Diame, Shelvey, Ritchie, Perez, Rondon.
Tottenham possible XI: Vorm, Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, Lucas, Eriksen, Son; Llorente.