Opposition watch | Newcastle's form and players to watch

It's a potential cracker as we go first up in the Premier League this weekend with a 12.30pm kick-off against Newcastle at St. James' Park on Saturday - here's a closer look at the Toon...

Form

After a tough spell of six losses in seven at the turn of the year - including our fine 4-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December - Newcastle's form has picked up again since February. They have lost just two of their last 10 (at Arsenal and Chelsea), winning five, the latest at Fulham on Saturday, where Bruno Guimaraes struck late. As you'd expect, home form is right up there with 10 wins and three defeats from their 16 matches at St. James' Park so far this term - their last loss against City back in January.

Players to watch

Harvey Barnes made a storming return from injury with a late winner against West Ham. Interestingly, he started on the bench again at Fulham, if he starts on Saturday, he provides quality and pace down the left, and whether it's Barnes or Jacob Murphy, it's a dangerous front three with Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak. Bruno Guimaraes brings a bit of everything in central midfield. Dan Burn has shifted from full-back to centre-back alongside Fabian Schar with so many players on Eddie Howe's missing list and Martin Dubravka is back in goal with Nick Pope another long-term absentee.

Manager - Eddie Howe

A defender in a 13-year playing career, Howe spent 10 seasons at AFC Bournemouth, and took his first steps into management at the south coast club in 2008, securing promotion from League Two into League One in 2009/10. He had a brief spell at Burnley before returning to Bournemouth and leading the Cherries into the Premier League in 2015/16. Howe kept Bournemouth in the top flight for five seasons before departing in August, 2020. He was appointed manager of Newcastle in November, 2021, with the Toon bottom of the Premier League. He lifted them as high as ninth before a final position of 11th in 2021/22, then followed up with fourth place and Champions League qualification last season, when they also reached the League Cup Final, where they beaten by Manchester United.

Last time we met

An outstanding display and 4-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in December. We registered 23 efforts at goal as two goals in each half saw us home - Destiny Udogie and Richarlison put us 2-0 up at half-time, Richy converted Pedro Porro's pass for 3-0 and Heung-Min Son made it 4-0 from the penalty spot before Joelinton's late consolation for Toon.

How to follow

Saturday's clash will be televised live by TNT Sports with live radio commentary on TalkSport. You can listen to BBC Radio London's commentary via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Official Spurs app, where you’ll also find minute-by-minute text, goal alerts, stats and much more. Look out for our social media updates on X and Instagram. Video highlights will be available on SPURSPLAY from 5pm, with the full 90 minutes available to watch on demand from midnight. Also, look out for our Review Show with post-match reaction and analysis from presenter Ben Haines and guests on SPURSPLAY and YouTube. Worldwide broadcast listings are available via the link on this page...