Newcastle United return from their travels to what will be a white-hot atmosphere at St James’ Park when they walk out to face their visitors Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday Afternoon.
With both teams having aspirations of Champions League qualification there is a lot to play for. A win would see Newcastle United jump back into third place in the premier League and at the same time open a six-point gap between themselves and the Londoners; while Tottenham need the points to remain part of the three horse race for the two places on offer .
Both teams are coming into this fixture off the backs of poor performances last weekend and their respective managers will be looking for their sides to bounce back to winning ways to keep their European football hopes alive.
In his pre match press conference on Friday morning Eddie Howe emphasized how important this game is having seen their five match winning run come to an end at Villa Park last weekend.
"It's a huge game for us - there's no denying that at this stage of the season, with the games running out. We're playing one of our competitors in the league so it's a big moment in our season.
"We're pleased to be at home and hopefully we can feel the force of the crowd. This week we certainly need everyone united in the game which I'm sure we will be, and hopefully we can respond to last week's disappointment."
Howe also talked about their destiny remaining very much in their own hands and being already three points clear of Spurs, they could stretch that lead to six.
"It could be (significant). I think a lot will depend on this week we have coming up, to be honest. We've got Tottenham on Sunday and a three-game week. They're huge moments because there's nine points to play for and we have to maximise that time. Hopefully we can go into the three-game week in a good place."
Newcastle face struggling Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday evening before the current bottom club Southampton arrive at St James’ Park on Sunday week.
Howe will have to make do without his French winger Alan St Maximin who is still out with a thigh injury while Miguel Almiron should be available for selection but may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Spurs caretaker manager Christian Stellini meanwhile is possibly without seven of his squad tomorrow through injury as French Defender Clement Lenglet likely joining the already unavailable Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Emerson Royal, Lucas Moura and Ryan Sessegnon. Stellini however hopes he can call on Ben Davies.
Speaking when he met the press on Friday, Cristian said: “Ben is very close to coming back. Tomorrow, we will see if he can train with us (full training) for the first time. It’s been a long time, so maybe this is the best news we have, but we are happy to have him back in training with us.”
Would he be ready for Newcastle? “We don’t know,” added Cristian. “It’s a risk, so we have to decide tomorrow, but it’s important Ben is back for the next week.”
One person who definitely wont be at St James’s Park is Spurs Managing Director Fabio Paratici who resigned from the role on Friday morning.
Paratici’s resignation came less than 24 hours after his failed appeal to overturn a 30-month ban imposed by Italy's sporting authorities for financial irregularities connected to his time in a similar role at Juventus.
With both teams having aspirations of Champions League qualification there is a lot to play for. A win would see Newcastle United jump back into third place in the premier League and at the same time open a six-point gap between themselves and the Londoners; while Tottenham need the points to remain part of the three horse race for the two places on offer .
Both teams are coming into this fixture off the backs of poor performances last weekend and their respective managers will be looking for their sides to bounce back to winning ways to keep their European football hopes alive.
In his pre match press conference on Friday morning Eddie Howe emphasized how important this game is having seen their five match winning run come to an end at Villa Park last weekend.
"It's a huge game for us - there's no denying that at this stage of the season, with the games running out. We're playing one of our competitors in the league so it's a big moment in our season.
"We're pleased to be at home and hopefully we can feel the force of the crowd. This week we certainly need everyone united in the game which I'm sure we will be, and hopefully we can respond to last week's disappointment."
Howe also talked about their destiny remaining very much in their own hands and being already three points clear of Spurs, they could stretch that lead to six.
"It could be (significant). I think a lot will depend on this week we have coming up, to be honest. We've got Tottenham on Sunday and a three-game week. They're huge moments because there's nine points to play for and we have to maximise that time. Hopefully we can go into the three-game week in a good place."
Newcastle face struggling Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday evening before the current bottom club Southampton arrive at St James’ Park on Sunday week.
Howe will have to make do without his French winger Alan St Maximin who is still out with a thigh injury while Miguel Almiron should be available for selection but may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Spurs caretaker manager Christian Stellini meanwhile is possibly without seven of his squad tomorrow through injury as French Defender Clement Lenglet likely joining the already unavailable Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Emerson Royal, Lucas Moura and Ryan Sessegnon. Stellini however hopes he can call on Ben Davies.
Speaking when he met the press on Friday, Cristian said: “Ben is very close to coming back. Tomorrow, we will see if he can train with us (full training) for the first time. It’s been a long time, so maybe this is the best news we have, but we are happy to have him back in training with us.”
Would he be ready for Newcastle? “We don’t know,” added Cristian. “It’s a risk, so we have to decide tomorrow, but it’s important Ben is back for the next week.”
One person who definitely wont be at St James’s Park is Spurs Managing Director Fabio Paratici who resigned from the role on Friday morning.
Paratici’s resignation came less than 24 hours after his failed appeal to overturn a 30-month ban imposed by Italy's sporting authorities for financial irregularities connected to his time in a similar role at Juventus.
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