Tottenham begin a tricky run of fixtures with a trip to St James’ Park where they will take on Newcastle United on Saturday (13 April).
After playing the upcoming clash with the Magpies, Ange Postecoglou’s side will have the following weekend off before taking on Arsenal (28 April), Chelsea (2 May) and Liverpool (5 May) all within the space of one week.
With three of their toughest fixtures of the season to come, Postecoglou and his players will be desperate to get anything they can from their trip to Tyneside.
Spurs supporters won’t need any reminding of the scoreline between these two teams in this same fixture last season.
Eddie Howe’s side raced into a 5-0 lead after 21 minutes before eventually winning the match 6-1.
It was one of the most shocking results of recent years in the Premier League, and Spurs will be looking for revenge.
After their 3-1 victory against Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (7 April), the North London side will arrive full of confidence, and Postecoglou must ensure he learns from the match against the Reds and gets his team selection spot on.
Ange Postecoglou to make two Tottenham changes against Newcastle United
Guglielmo Vicario will likely start between the sticks against Newcastle, having made five saves and completed 97 per cent of his passes against Forest (Sofascore).
Destiny Udogie hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks, with the Italy international winning just two of his six ground duels last time out, but he is likely to keep his place with Postecoglou’s options to replace the 21-year-old quite limited.
While Udogie struggled, Pedro Porro had an afternoon to remember against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as he scored his first Premier League goal of the season to round off the scoring and secure all three points, and the Spaniard will expect to keep his place in the team.
It was a defensive double-act in front of goal, with Micky van de Ven also getting himself on the scoresheet while putting in an incredible display at the back, winning 100 per cent of his ground duels, three of his five aerial duels and completing 94 per cent of his passes.
He will expect to start next to Cristian Romero, who won 100 per cent of his aerial duels against Forest.
Midfield was an interesting area of the pitch against the Reds. Both Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr were replaced at half-time, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur coming on in their place and changing the game.
Postecoglou could therefore look to make changes in the middle of the park.
The Australian will likely keep his faith in Bissouma, who completed 93 per cent of his passes during the first half on Sunday, but drop Sarr to the bench after the Senegal international completed zero per cent of his crosses into the box, zero per cent of his long balls forward and won zero per cent of his aerial duels.
Bentancur could come in for Sarr after his memorable second-half cameo against Forest, during which he provided one assist and played one key pass.
Meanwhile, James Maddison should keep his place despite his recent struggles.
Ange Postecoglou to shuffle his Tottenham front three against Newcastle United
Brennan Johnson has been in superb form as of late and will likely keep his place, with the Welshman causing issues against his boyhood club last time out as he played two key passes and got himself into promising positions, missing two big chances.
Meanwhile, Timo Werner only managed to complete 74 per cent of his passes, win 40 per cent of his ground duels and was also dribbled past three times.
As a result, the German could make way with Son Heung-min being moved to the left, and Richarlison coming in through the middle to provide a physical presence against Newcastle.
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