Tottenham vs Newcastle: The Desperation Derby

 Match Overview: A Fight for Survival and Pride

Tonight, Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosts a high-stakes Premier League clash (7:30 PM GMT) that few could have predicted at the start of the season. Thomas Frank’s Tottenham enters the match in a legitimate relegation scrap, sitting 15th and just six points above the drop zone. Across from them, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle (12th) are looking to salvage a season that has seen their European ambitions slip onto life support.

Both managers are under immense pressure; Frank is searching for his first league win of 2026, while Howe has faced boos from the St. James' Park faithful after recent losses. This is a game where the "fear of losing" might outweigh the "will to win."

Form Guide: The Winless Rut

Tottenham (L-L-D-D-L): Spurs are in a tailspin. Their 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday was their 10th home loss of the calendar year, extending a miserable run to just one win in their last ten league games. While they have performed admirably in the Champions League, their domestic form is "dire." They haven't beaten Newcastle in their last seven league attempts, a psychological hurdle that looms large tonight.

Newcastle (L-L-L-D-W): The Magpies are in no better shape, having lost three on the bounce in the league. Their latest setback, a 3-2 home defeat to Brentford, has left them ten points adrift of the European spots. However, Newcastle has historically enjoyed this fixture, scoring in each of their last six away league matches against Spurs.

 Tactical Breakdown & Team News

Tottenham’s Defensive Crisis:rnThomas Frank is navigating a selection nightmare. Captain Cristian Romero is suspended following his red card against Manchester United, and Destiny Udogie is out for a month with a hamstring injury. With Radu Dragusin and Djed Spence forced into a reshuffled backline, Spurs look vulnerable.

• Absences: Maddison, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Kudus, Richarlison, Udogie, Romero (Sus.).

• The Setup: Expect a 4-3-3 or 3-4-2-1 where Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert must provide the spark for Dominic Solanke, who remains the team's primary hope for goals.

Newcastle’s Midfield Shuffle:rnEddie Howe has made four bold changes to the side that lost to Brentford. Dan Burn, Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga, and Anthony Gordon all return to the starting XI. The return of Gordon is a massive boost, though the midfield remains without the injured Joelinton.

• Confirmed Lineup: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Ramsey, Willock, Guimaraes, Elanga, Barnes, Gordon.

• The Strategy: Newcastle will look to exploit Spurs' makeshift full-backs using the pace of Gordon and Elanga, aiming to bypass the midfield with direct vertical play.

 Coach Pre-Match Conference Snapshot

Thomas Frank (Tottenham): "We lost two key players for tonight, but Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin are ready. I know we'll put a competitive team out. We aren't looking at the table; we are looking at the next 90 minutes. We need to be perfect defensively."

Eddie Howe (Newcastle): "We need to turn the tide. I’ve seen Anthony [Gordon] and Lewis [Miley] progress well this week. This is a winnable fixture if we show the right intensity. We know Spurs are hurting, and we have to capitalize on that."

 Key Players

• Tottenham: Dominic Solanke. With the creative core decimated by injury, Solanke’s ability to hold up the ball and finish half-chances is Spurs' only path to three points.

• Newcastle: Anthony Gordon. His pace and directness against a reshuffled Spurs defense could be the deciding factor. He has a knack for scoring in high-pressure away games.