Newcastle vs Tottenham – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Spurs look to increase their grip on a top-four spot with a win against Europe-chasing Magpies

Newcastle fans are some of the best in the country.

I’m surprised I haven’t seen a fan with their shirt off yet, it’s April so there must be a few.

You can already feel the buzz around the ground!

Alexander Isak, what a player.

In Newcastle’s 6-1 defeat to Spurs last year, Isak was the standout player for me, scoring two goals within two minutes.

The Swedish striker has already scored fifteen goals in just 23 games this season, five more than last season.

I told my colleague that I believe he is the best addition to Eddie Howe.

What do you think, is that him?

Rodrigo Bentencur is back in Tottenham’s starting lineup.

He is the only substitute in the team that defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1 last week.

Is this 11 strong enough to get the three points today?

Eddie Howe makes just two changes from the side that defeated Fulham last week.

Elliott Anderson and Harvey Barnes come into the starting eleven for the injured Joe Willock and Lewis Hall – who is on the bench.

Tino Livramento is also a shock as he is fit enough to be named on the bench.

I have to admit that despite the injuries it is a pretty strong attack.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaks on Friday:

That was a special match for us, everything clicked. We were devastating in attack, we were ruthless. One of those days you rarely see in football where everything went our way.

This is a completely different Tottenham team now. I admire them tactically, and physically, I think, Ange [Postecoglou] deserves a lot of credit for the way its philosophy has been implemented and for the speed it has.

You didn’t have to wait long.

If you’re a Tottenham fan you might want to scroll past this post, but you won’t if you’re anyone else.

Last season we saw the very best of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle and the worst of managerless Tottenham in the exact same match.

The Magpies were ruthless, firing six past the hapless Spurs, five of which came in the opening 21 minutes.

It was a match that showed the gap in class between the two teams at the time and will live long in the memories of both groups of fans.

We certainly won’t repeat that today, will we?

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaks on Friday:

Certainly, there is a cautionary tale in that participation in the Champions League also comes with higher demands.

Demands on players, demands on the squad and you have to be prepared for it, otherwise it can affect all parts of your season.

It’s been tough for Newcastle this year because the progress last year was fantastic, the reward for that was the Champions League and this year, for whatever reason, it’s been a very challenging season for them on all fronts.

Tottenham usually enjoy a trip to St James’ Park.

The North London side have come out on top in six of the last nine meetings between the two North East sides.

However, these results are probably not on the minds of the current Tottenham squad, but they will be.

You know what I’m talking about, but you’ll have to wait a little longer for that message.

Would it be a shock if Newcastle won today? I think so.

I only say this because of the Magpies’ injury problems, not because they aren’t good enough to do it.

In reality, if Tottenham want to get Villa into the top four by the end of the season, they need to win here today.

Spurs still have to play all three of the best teams, they have a very tough run-in, but they can’t take their focus off today.

It’s a huge game for both teams and could determine where they finish this season.

You won’t be able to take your eyes off this one.

Is football back yet?

You have to love the last run, the football is non-stop and that’s perfect for people like me who love the sport.

If you’re the same, you’ll love what the Premier League has to offer in the early kick-off, as Tottenham travel to St James’s Park looking for revenge after last year’s horror show (I think the Newcastle fans will be smiling right about now).

With both teams aiming for Europe in their own way and in a stadium notorious for creating an intimidating atmosphere, I think this is going to be a lot of fun, don’t you?

Wherever you are, whatever you do, make sure you don’t miss this one or you’ll regret it.