Newcastle v Spurs preview

Newcastle are unbeaten in the league so far this year but face a Spurs side looking to get back in the Premier League top four.

Alan Pardew was not welcomed with open arms at St James' Park but he has seemed to settle into the role, with only the shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Stevenage a real blip during his time in charge.

Newcastle bounced back from that game with a 1-1 draw against rivals Sunderland, but they will curse the fact they did not take all three points after conceding a late equaliser.

The home side are looking to win their third game out of four at St James' Park, but they have been susceptible in front of their own fans having lost five games at home so far this season – with the bookmakers' pricing Newcastle at 5/2 to get the win.

Spurs arrive in the North-East having dropped out of the top four and their 0-0 draw with Manchester United last time out was the first time in 15 games they had not found the back of the net.

Harry Redknapp's side are a potent force going forward and will be looking to improve on a record that shows they have not failed to even win a point at St James Park since 2004, and they are 11/10 to reverse that record and get the win this time out.

Newcastle are again going to be without key striker Andy Carroll and his absence is a massive blow to their chances of success. Alan Smith will also be missing as he sustained an ankle injury against Sunderland that looks set to have ended his season and Cheik Tiote serves the second game of a three-match ban,

Kevin Nolan reached double goal figures for the season last weekend and he will be the key for Newcastle, but the midfielder will have to work hard to protect the defence as it is likely to come under immense pressure from the attacking threat from the likes of Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon.

Tottenham have conceded in every one of their last 11 matches so are susceptible to conceding so there could be an opportunity for Newcastle. Steven Pienaar is likely to make his debut for Spurs after arriving from Everton and the South African is 14/1 to get the first goal of the game.

Newcastle's squad is looking stretched at this point in time but they have picked up enough points to not have to worry massively yet. They need to step up and make St James' Park a real fortress as that could be vital as they look to preserve their Premier League status.