Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch | OneFootball

Newcastle and Spurs set for Carabao Cup showdown at St James’ Park

Newcastle eye another cup run

A year after lifting the Carabao Cup in front of a euphoric supporters, Newcastle return to the competition that rekindled their sense of belief. Their victory over Liverpool in last season’s final remains one of the defining moments in modern club history, and on Wednesday night they meet Tottenham for a place in the quarter-finals.

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The atmosphere promises to be electric. This fixture pits two sides at very different stages of development but equally hungry for success. Newcastle’s campaign has been uneven, with three wins, three draws and three defeats from nine league games, yet Eddie Howe’s side remain formidable in knockout football. Their intensity, energy and unity still make them a difficult opponent for anyone, particularly under the floodlights on Tyneside.

Spurs’ momentum tested

Tottenham arrive full of confidence after becoming the first side to win at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium. A 3-0 victory, built on defensive assurance and counter-attacking precision, marked another step forward under Thomas Frank. Micky van de Ven scored twice and Pape Sarr added the third, extending Spurs’ unbeaten away record to five games in all competitions.

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Frank’s side have rediscovered resilience, winning four and drawing one of those five Premier League fixtures on the road. Yet this will be a very different kind of test. Newcastle’s supporters will view the visit of Spurs as a marker of their club’s current trajectory, while the London side will be wary of fatigue and rotation as they juggle an intense schedule.

Team selection dilemmas

Newcastle’s preparations appear positive. Sandro Tonali overcame a knock to feature in the weekend win over Fulham and is expected to anchor a midfield trio alongside Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes. Fabian Schar could return in defence, with Sven Botman nursing a minor issue. Further forward, Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes are pushing for starts after limited involvement so far this season.

Photo IMAGO

Nick Woltemade should continue to lead the line, having impressed with his movement and link-up play. Newcastle’s structure under Howe remains familiar: pressing with aggression, compact in shape, and clinical in transition.

For Spurs, the injury list remains extensive. Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie are edging closer to fitness but will miss this tie. That leaves Frank to manage his resources carefully, with key fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester City looming. Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall could start, giving rest to Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha and Xavi Simons. Randal Kolo Muani, who led the line against Everton, may be rotated in favour of Richarlison, while Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso are expected to continue in central defence.

Photo IMAGO

Prediction and perspective

Both teams carry different motivations into this tie. For Newcastle, the Carabao Cup represents continuity, a competition that has helped forge their new identity. For Spurs, it is an opportunity to validate progress and show they can balance domestic ambition with growing European demands.

Newcastle’s record against Tottenham has been strong in recent seasons, with five wins from the last six meetings. Their pressing game and home advantage could again prove decisive. Spurs’ away form suggests they will not make it easy, yet much depends on how Thomas Frank manages his midfield and the degree to which rotation disrupts rhythm.

Newcastle are expected to edge it 2-1, driven by the energy of their crowd and the memory of last season’s triumph. St James’ Park has become a place where moments of belief take root, and this fixture offers another opportunity to nurture that spirit.

Head-to-head record

Historically, Spurs have the upper hand, with 74 wins to Newcastle’s 64 and 34 draws between the sides. Yet momentum has shifted in recent years, reflecting Newcastle’s resurgence and Spurs’ inconsistency in knockout competition.

This encounter is not just about advancing to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals but about two clubs chasing validation in very different ways. Newcastle seek continuity, Spurs crave credibility. Both will find that progress demands composure on a stage where mistakes rarely go unpunished.