By Peter O'Rourke Last updated: 22nd October 2007
Barton: Possible debut
Newcastle United play host to Tottenham Hotspur aiming to maintain their unbeaten home record.
Tottenham travel to Tyneside on the back of a six-match unbeaten run, but they are still looking for their first away win of the season.
Joey Barton could be in line to make his Newcastle debut after his recovery from a broken foot picked up in pre-season.
Michael Owen is fit to play after coming through England's two games against Estonia and Russia without any ill-effects.
Alan Smith is absent for the home side as he is suspended so Emre could start in midfield.
Mark Viduka and Claudio Cacapa both face late fitness tests, but Shola Ameobi is set to miss out with a groin problem.
Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson is ruled out for the visitors after picking up a calf strain on international duty last week.
Radek Cerny is set to deputise for Robinson in goal for Martin Jol's side.
Spurs skipper Ledley King is still a few weeks off from returning from a knee injury and he is joined on the sidelines by Ricardo Rocha (ankle), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Kevin-Prince Boateng (ankle).
Dimitar Berbatov is expected to shake off a slight knock he sustained playing for Bulgaria last week to partner Robbie Keane in attack.
| Team | Newcastle United | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Games Played | 8 | 9 |
| Goal Attempts | ||
| Goals | 13 | 16 |
| Ave Goals per game | 1.62 | 1.78 |
| Shots (excl blocked shots) | 81 | 112 |
| % Shots on Target | 43% | 37% |
| % Goals to Shots | 16% | 14% |
| Passing | ||
| Short Passes | 2,227 | 2,896 |
| Long Passes | 507 | 590 |
| Overall Pass Completion % | 71% | 78% |
| Crossing | ||
| Total Crosses | 210 | 237 |
| Cross Completion % | 20% | 24% |
| Defending | ||
| Goals Conceded | 10 | 18 |
| Ave goals conceded per game | 1.25 | 2.00 |
| Tackles | 185 | 247 |
| Tackles Won % | 77% | 74% |
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions | 471 | 612 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fouls | 113 | 109 |
| Yellow Cards | 12 | 12 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Aston Villa vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man City |
| 17:30 | Stoke vs Liverpool |
| Sunday 11th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Wigan vs Tottenham |
| 16:00 | Man Utd vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 14th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Wigan |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Middlesbrough |
| 17:30 | Hull vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 18th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | West Ham vs Fulham |
| 16:00 | Tottenham vs Portsmouth |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 29th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Fulham 2 - 2 Chelsea | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Everton 3 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| West Brom 2 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Bolton 0 - 1 Wigan | |
| Newcastle 1 - 5 Liverpool | |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton | |
| Wigan 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Everton | |
| Man City 5 - 1 Hull | |
| Sunderland 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Portsmouth 1 - 4 West Ham | |
| Tottenham 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Stoke 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
Ed Chamberlin sees United and Chelsea cancelling each other out on Sunday, while racing feels the freeze.
Paul Merson expects strugglers West Brom and Spurs to lose to Aston Villa and Wigan this weekend.
Nigel Clough's appointment as Derby manager sees him follow in the footsteps of his legendary father Brian.
Paul Ince insists he is ready to return to football management should a suitable opportunity arise.
Stoke City have completed the signing of Matthew Etherington, while Charles N'Zogbia claims Aston Villa and Spurs want him.
Mark Hughes has revealed that Manchester City have seen a 'substantial' bid for Roque Santa Cruz knocked back.
Newcastle star Charles N'Zogbia claims Aston Villa and Tottenham are chasing his signature.
Midfielder Lucas Leiva believes Liverpool can beat anyone as they target the Premier League title.