Newcastle United Seek First Premier League Victory Against Spurs
Newcastle United head to North London on Saturday still waiting for their first Premier League victory of the season, but they travel with a sense of defiance rather than doubt.
They twice had Liverpool where they wanted them last weekend, leading at St James’ Park, only to be pegged back by a stoppage-time penalty that denied Matthias Jaissle a statement win. Any fears of a hangover were pushed aside in midweek as his side edged a wild 3-2 Carabao Cup tie against West Bromwich Albion.
It hasn’t been dull. It hasn’t quite been ruthless either. Tottenham Hotspur will test which version turns up.
Injuries bite, but new faces step forward
Jaissle’s plans are still shaped by a growing injury list. Newly-appointed captain Dan Burn remains out with ankle ligament damage, stripping Newcastle of their towering defensive leader. Joelinton’s groin problem and Tino Livramento’s calf issue keep them sidelined as well, robbing the side of two more senior options.
William Osula is also still unavailable as he continues to nurse a foot injury, so the search for a first league win will again go ahead without him.
The positive news comes from Bazoumana Toure. The new signing scored against West Brom despite admitting he was “feeling a bit of pain” during that game. The staff expect him to be fit for Saturday, and his sharpness on the left could prove vital if he gets the nod.
There is also the intrigue of a marquee arrival. Nico Gonzalez, paraded in front of supporters as a £50 million signing from Manchester City before the West Brom win, is in line for his Newcastle debut. If Jaissle throws him straight in, it likely comes at the expense of Lewis Miley or fellow new boy Sean Steur in the double pivot.
Selection battles across the front line
Some decisions feel settled. Anthony Elanga, who opened the scoring against Liverpool and stretched their back line relentlessly, is expected to keep his place on the right ahead of Jacob Murphy.
The left is a different story. Harvey Barnes, fresh from a clinical brace in the cup, is pushing hard to start, but Toure’s goal and direct running give Jaissle another strong option. It’s a straight fight for one shirt.
Up front, the situation is clearer. With Osula still out, Nick Woltemade is set to lead the line again, supported by Yoane Wissa in the central attacking role. That partnership showed flashes of understanding in the last two outings; now it needs an end product in the league.
Behind them, the back four looks settled. Amar Dedic, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall are expected to form the defensive unit in front of Lukas Horníček, who has taken over as Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper for now. With Burn missing, Botman’s authority and Horníček’s composure will be under the spotlight against a Spurs side that rarely sits still at home.
Predicted Newcastle XI
Jaissle is expected to stick with a 4-2-3-1 shape at Tottenham.
Newcastle United possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Horníček; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Gonzalez, Miley; Elanga, Wissa, Barnes; Woltemade.
Kick-off and TV details
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United kicks off at 17:30 on Saturday, 29 August 2026.
The match will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Newcastle have already shown they can trade blows with the elite. Now comes the question that will define their early season: can they finally turn promise into points in North London?
