Newcastle United will have a difficult start to the 2018-19 Premier League campaign as they host Tottenham on opening day.
Newcastle United will face Tottenham on opening day and Rafa Benitez’s men will need to play close to perfection to earn a positive result at home. Tottenham claimed the double over Newcastle last season, but the Magpies were competitive in both matches.
Tottenham will look to silence the critics for their unexpected inactivity during the summer transfer window by aiming to take three points away from home. Newcastle’s players will look to prove doubters wrong by showing that they can compete with the top dogs of the Premier League with their current roster.
Overall, Newcastle will be the underdogs in this match, but playing at home could make a difference. Here are three ways the Magpies could pull an upset over Tottenham at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Contain Kane and Eriksen
Newcastle will have a daunting task in trying to contain Tottenham’s two best players – Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen. Tottenham is one of the most dangerous clubs in Europe when their offensive players are clicking on all cylinders, especially Kane and Eriksen.
Last season, the aforementioned duo scored 40 of Tottenham’s 74 goals. Newcastle will have a difficult time containing these two players. Jonjo Shelvey, Ki Sung-yueng and Mohamed Diame will have to help the back-line in covering Eriksen in midfield and Jamaal Lascelles will need another body to help obstruct any passes aimed for Kane in the penalty area.
Utilize the wings
Newcastle will most likely be cautious in their first match of the new campaign against an opponent that earned a third place finish last season. The Magpies would be wise to place tactical emphasis on defense, but they should not be afraid to attack.
Last season, despite losing 1-0, Newcastle looked like the dominant side against Tottenham at Wembley. A key reason for this dominance was frequent wing play. If the Magpies can spread the ball out wide they will create gaps in Tottenham’s defense. Moreover, with Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto in the penalty area, Newcastle will be more clinical in front of goal. Jonjo Shelvey must feed the ball to Kenedy and Matt Ritchie out wide in order for the speedy wingers to curl balls in to the front-line.
Set Pieces
Maintaining defensive stability and creating a passing rhythm offensively are necessary to win matches, however, Newcastle will also need a few breaks in play. Set pieces will be crucial for the Magpies on opening day as Tottenham boast a sound defensive unit that only conceded 36 goals last season.
In other words, it is not impossible to break down Tottenham’s defense, but it is difficult. Newcastle will need to earn some corner kicks and free kicks in this match if they wish to secure three impressive points. Multiple players are capable of delivering accurate crosses and multiple players have the height to get on the end of an arching cross.