Premier League: Can Magpies Nick a Point at Spurs?

Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United

I very much doubt it!

And when Steve Bruce takes his Newcastle United side to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday few SBOBET Premier League fans, outside the North East of England, are likely to disagree.

The Premier League is a daunting place to be for the Geordies at the moment, with nothing to show for their opening two games and a trip to London at the weekend is unlikely to improve matters. After staying in the 2018/19 title race until the New Year, Spurs have started this campaign with a win and a draw, all the more impressive when you consider the single point came away to champions Manchester City.

The third round of Premier League 2019 results will be in for all Spurs’ rivals by the time they kick off on Sunday at 4.30 pm UK time, and the hosts will know what they need to do to take their place in a top four which they hope to occupy throughout the season.

Newcastle wants to get away from the bottom end and that alone will take a huge effort.

Talking Points

Home is where the heart is

The Whites picked up a rather lucky point away to Manchester City last week when VAR came to their rescue against the Sky Blues again. But that followed a resounding 3-1 victory over new boys Aston Villa on the opening weekend. That victory ended a three-match winless run at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and boss Mauricio Pochettino would dearly love Spurs’ home to become an intimidating place to visit.

Poch’s first new signing in 18 months, Tanguy Ndombele, certainly made himself at home, scoring on his league debut; and he is sure to become a big favourite if he can continue that form. Skipper Harry Kane helped himself to a brace and fans will be hoping he can avoid a sixth ankle injury in four seasons. Heung-Min Son deputised magnificently last season, but if Kane stays fit, Poch might just win his first trophy for the North London club.

Midfield creator Christian Eriksen has made it known that he wants a new challenge and could well be off to Real Madrid, but he is waiting to see whether Manchester United’s Paul Pogba makes that move first. Eriksen has been a consummate professional and wants to try a new experience in a different league, but he may still have something to offer before he goes.

Tottenham have won their last four Premier League matches against Newcastle — Tottenham’s Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal against Aston Villa

Dark Clouds over Tyneside

Newcastle is a cold and gloomy place at the moment and after the departure of Rafa Benitez, who had worked wonders to get the club back into the top flight and keep it there. But after another summer of player exits and fan disapproval of owner Mike Ashley, incoming boss Steve Bruce has walked into a rather toxic environment.

It probably doesn’t help that he’s a former Sunderland boss and has led his side to back-to-back defeats to open this campaign. Effort alone was not enough to avoid defeat on the opening day to Arsenal, and then a rather limp performance in East Anglia gifted Norwich City a first win back in the top flight.

The Magpies weren’t particularly free-scoring under Benitez and it’s hard to see where the goals will come from after the departure of striker Ayoze Perez to Leicester City. Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has scored Newcastle’s only goal of the season so far, a consolation at Carrow Road and the Geordies have now been installed as favourites to go down.

History

I know that all makes miserable reading for the visitors, but the head to heads in the Premier League era could hardly be closer, with Spurs edging it at 23 wins to the Magpies 22 and there have been six draws.

But Newcastle hasn’t won in four attempts against the Whites, and last season Spurs did the double over their opponents. And home advantage has given Poch’s team 15 wins from the last 25. The odds say that is soon to become 16 in 26.

Betting Tip

	Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United	Tottenham Hotspur Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.81
	August 25, 23:30 (GMT+8)

The Spurs vs Newcastle betting odds make a very strong case for a home win, and by a comfortable margin. Spurs is at 1.27 with the draw at 5.40 and Newcastle way out there at 11.50.

2-0 is the most likely score at odds of 6.40 and very little has happened in the opening two rounds of fixtures to suggest that will be wide of the mark. If anything I suspect we may see a wider margin and a good start to the season for Spurs.