Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey and Callum Wilson are back for hosts while Spurs' plans have been plunged into chaos after two players tested positive for coronavirus; watch Newcastle vs Tottenham live on Super Sunday from 4pm - kick-off 4.30pm
Sunday 17 October 2021 17:28, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Newcastle vs Tottenham in the Premier League on Super Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce will have Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey and Callum Wilson available for his 1,000th game as a manager when Tottenham head for St James' Park on Sunday.
After a turbulent week during which his own future has been the subject of intense speculation, Bruce will be able to call upon skipper Lascelles, who has missed the last two games, and striker Wilson, who has sat out the last four, both with thigh injuries.
Midfielder Shelvey, who has been out since the opening game of the season with a calf problem, is also fit, leaving only keeper Martin Dubravka (foot) and defender Paul Dummett (calf) on the sidelines.
Tottenham's plans for Sunday's trip have been plunged into chaos after two players tested positive for coronavirus.
Both men, who trained with the group on Thursday, were shown to have contracted Covid-19 after tests in the last 24 hours.
The two unnamed players must now isolate for 10 days as per Government rules, keeping them out of the game at St James' Park, a Europa Conference League match against Vitesse Arnhem, and the London derby at West Ham next weekend.
Both players are due to be retested on Saturday, as per standard procedure. The club are understood to be confident that no other players will have to isolate due to having come into close contact.
Spurs quartet Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero, Davinson Sanchez and Emerson Royal, like the Magpies' Miguel Almiron, could be involved following their return from World Cup qualifiers in South America.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo has hinted that some of his other players have returned from international duty with injuries.
Steven Bergwijn could be involved after he returned to training following a lengthy absence with an ankle issue.
Newcastle vs Tottenham is live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm; kick-off 4.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the manager situation at Newcastle, this encounter is a prediction nightmare from a match result perspective. Steve Bruce or no Steve Bruce, there should still be a revitalised atmosphere at St James' Park and they possess an attack to seriously ask questions of the visitors. At 5/2 with Sky Bet, the home win looks a backable price.
Harry Kane is taking up a huge chunk of the first goalscorer market but he heads north out of form playing in this Tottenham side. Kane has yet to score in the Premier League this season. After missing the opening game vs Man City he has not scored in any of the last six - his longest run without a league goal since failing to score in the opening six games of the 15/16 season. His price of 3/1 in the first goalscorer market has to be taken on.
Allan Saint-Maximin is likely to continue in a central attacking role and the quotes of 15/2 with Sky Bet about him scoring the first goal significantly underestimate his talents. The flying Frenchman has had the most shots (14), shots on target (6) and opposition box touches (40) for Newcastle this season and has revelled being the main source of goals since Callum Wilson's injury, scoring in the last two matches at St James' Park. He can make it three in a row here.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1
BETTING ANGLE: Allan Saint-Maximin to score first (15/2 with Sky Bet)
