The Daly Brief | Newcastle vs Spurs, Premier League | OneFootball

"Newcastle United have won six in a row at home - while two of their summer signings starred in a weekend 4-1 victory at Everton. For Spurs, how will Thomas Frank line up his team against one of the Premier League’s most athletic and physical midfields?"

Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit

A change in goal...

Aaron Ramsdale made his first Premier League start for Newcastle on Merseyside on Sunday, and he can be expected to play tonight. There was talk that the goalkeeper, on loan from Southampton, may get a run in the team anyway, but Nick Pope’s groin injury forced the manager’s hand. “I think Aaron showed his qualities with the ball at his feet... he distributed the ball very well,” said Eddie Howe, highlighting how he now has two goalkeepers of different profiles. "He wasn't overly worked necessarily in terms of shots, but what he did have to handle, I thought he did well.” Ramsdale did play in the Carabao Cup win over Spurs in October, making two very good second half saves to keep out Pape Matar Sarr and Richarlison.

Will Woltemade start again?

Nick Woltemade scored an excellent chip at Everton taking his tally to five goals in 10 Premier League games – but will he definitely start? The 6ft6 Germany international also found the net in the 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Spurs, however, he was on the bench for Newcastle’s previous midweek game, last Tuesday’s 2-1 loss at Marseille, with Anthony Gordon leading the line. “With Nick, we have to rest and rotate because physically he’s giving a lot. We need to make sure he’s fit and available, established on the line, and we have to be very careful with his load” explained Howe. Yoane Wissa is nearly back available, one of two strikers signed with Alexander Isak moving to Liverpool, but another behind-closed-doors game is planned before he can feature. Regardless, they’re not reliant on the goals of their attacking players. Even defender Malick Thiaw scored twice at Hill Dickinson Stadium at the weekend.

The midfield battle...

Matches that become transitional and chaotic often suit Newcastle – a dynamic that suits their strongest midfield three. There has been rotation in that area in recent matches, but you’d assume Sandro Tonali will come back in alongside Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães. So, does a match like this suit Pape Matar Sarr best given his work-rate and athleticism? Rodrigo Bentancur was a sub at the weekend and could also come in – given that both Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray have started back to back matches after injury.

Romero and rotation...

Cristian Romero will likely come back in after serving his one-match ban in the 2-1 home loss to Fulham. Given the way Newcastle play, in that intense St James’ Park atmosphere, it’s the kind of game where Spurs’ captain can flourish. If Woltemade does start, Romero may also task himself with stopping the striker from linking play, something he does so well, by marking man-to-man and playing on the front foot. The same will be demanded of whoever starts in the front line to get at Newcastle when they play out – with Xavi Simons, Mathys Tel, Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert will all pushing to get their opportunity.

Last time at St. James' Park...