Paul Merson has been talking about St. James’ Park and Newcastle United right now.
It is now getting close to the thirty-second NUFC Premier League encounter of the season, according to the former Arsenal player.
In all tournaments, Eddie Howe and his squad have already participated in forty-four matches.
Paul Merson talks about the potential before Newcastle United plays Tottenham at home.
Paul Merson, in conversation with Sportskeeda ahead of the Newcastle versus Tottenham match, shared his insights:
“Newcastle United secured an impressive result against Fulham, although their performance wasn’t particularly memorable.
“In contrast, Tottenham showcased excellence against Nottingham Forest, with Micky van de Ven displaying his defensive prowess once again.
“At St James’ Park, I fancy Newcastle to secure a 2-1 home victory.
“Tottenham is in need of points, especially considering their challenging upcoming fixtures. However, I don’t foresee them losing to Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
“There’s potential for Tottenham to secure a positive outcome in that fixture list, ensuring their safety and finishing above Aston Villa in the Premier League’s top four.”
Paul Merson’s prediction of a 2-1 victory for Newcastle against Tottenham might indeed hold weight.
Tottenham’s away form over the past five months has been less than stellar, winning only two of their last nine Premier League away matches. They have suffered defeats against teams like Wolves, Brighton, and Fulham, while managing only draws against Everton and West Ham.
On the other hand, Newcastle, under Eddie Howe, has demonstrated resilience at home in the Premier League. In Howe’s 29-month tenure, Newcastle has lost just four times at St James’ Park in Premier League matches, with defeats to Liverpool (3 times), Manchester City (twice), Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest (once each). The loss to Forest was characterized by missed opportunities and lapses in defense, making it a somewhat anomalous result.
Considering these factors, Merson’s prediction of a Newcastle victory seems plausible, given their strong home record and Tottenham’s recent struggles away from home.
The absence of several key players, with potentially 12 to 13 individuals unavailable, poses a significant challenge for Newcastle, especially against Eddie Howe’s resilient side at St James’ Park.
Despite these circumstances, with more options available and the possibility of positive changes during the game, there remains hope for Newcastle to secure a victory. The outcome could heavily rely on the starting players avoiding further injuries and the potential inclusion of Lewis Hall if passed fit to play.
While there may be concerns due to the depleted squad, there’s still optimism that Newcastle can emerge victorious, particularly if they can navigate these challenges effectively. Paul Merson’s prediction of a Newcastle win could still come to fruition, given the team’s resilience and ability to rise to the occasion, even in challenging circumstances.
Newcastle United matches now confirmed for rest of the season:
Newcastle vs. Spurs on Saturday, April 13, 2024 (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Wednesday, April 24, 2024: Newcastle vs. Crystal Palace, 8 p.m.
3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024: Newcastle vs. Sheff Utd
Saturday, May 4, 2024, 3 p.m.: Burnley vs. Newcastle
Newcastle vs. Brighton on Saturday, May 11, 2024, 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 19, 2024: Newcastle vs. Brentford (4 p.m.)
(Live TV matches for the season’s last day will be chosen closer to the event, although all ten Premier League games will take place at the same time on the same day.)
Wednesday, May 22, 2024: Newcastle vs. Tottenham (at Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG)
The A-League All Stars team will play Newcastle on Friday, May 24, 2024, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.