Tottenham’s new signing, Steven Pienaar, could be in line to make his bow, as Spurs travel to St James Park with a view to boosting their title hopes, and putting behind them some of the furore surrounding their proposed Olympic stadium bid.

This season, Newcastle have been up and down more times than Audley Harrison on ice, and will view this game as an opportunity to entrench themselves in the top half. Last week’s draw with local rivals Sunderland will have been a blow to Alan Pardew’s attempts at building his relationship with local support, however so long as he keeps prize asset, Andy Carroll, in black and white the former West Ham boss will avoid a lynching mob.

Spurs will be annoyed not to have taken full advantage from their meeting with league leaders Manchester United last weekend, however will have a chance here to catapult back into the Champions League slots before rivals Chelsea meet Bolton on Monday.

Prediction: 1-2

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