Newcastle v Tottenham preview: Mauricio Pochettino's side target second

Tottenham will wrap up a second-place finish in the Premier League if they avoid defeat at Newcastle on Sunday.

From challenging for the title a month ago, Spurs have stuttered in recent weeks, drawing with West Brom and Chelsea and then losing at home to Southampton.

But they will secure second behind Leicester as long as they do not lose to Newcastle at St James' Park, with Arsenal two points behind and disadvantaged by a far inferior goal difference.

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Spurs were beaten 2-1 in the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane, but since that match in December the Magpies have only won four times and their relegation to the Championship was confirmed on Wednesday when Sunderland beat Everton.

While Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino signed a new deal in the week, there is uncertainty over the future of Magpies manager Rafa Benitez, with the Spaniard hired on a three-year deal in March.

It is understood that Benitez met Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley on Thursday for initial talks over his future.

Team news

Vurnon Anita is the only new absentee for Newcastle. He is not set to be risked after playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks.

Full-back Daryl Janmaat could step in and take the place of Anita who has been filling for Benitez's side after returning from injury as an unused substitute for last weekend's goalless draw at Aston Villa.

However, keepers Tim Krul and Rob Elliot (both knee) and defenders Fabricio Coloccini (calf) and Massadio Haidara (knee) remain on the sidelines.

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Spurs have no fresh injury concerns, with Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele both still missing as they serve bans for violent conduct and Nabil Bentaleb sidelined with a knee injury.

Opta stats

Newcastle United have lost just one of their last eight Premier League games at St James' Park (W4 D3).

The Magpies have won just one of their last five Premier League home matches against Tottenham (W1 D2 L2).

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Only Leicester (38) have picked up more points away from home than Spurs this season (34).

Spurs have allowed fewer shots on target against them than any other team in the Premier League this season (112).

If Spurs win this fixture, they will beat their highest points tally in a single season set in 2012-13 (72)

Harry Kane needs one goal to equal the record for most away goals in a Premier League campaign, currently held by Kevin Phillips with 16 in 1999/00.

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Merson's prediction

If Spurs don't get a draw, it would be an absolute shocker. I reckon they will get the point they need to finish second. Newcastle are down but they have to put on a show for their fans.

They can't just go there and lie down after being relegated, they will have to make it a hard game for Tottenham otherwise the fans will get frustrated. 

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (11/2 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Relegated Newcastle are 16/5 with Sky Bet to claim all three points when they play host to Tottenham on the final day of the season. Spurs, who need only a point to be certain of finishing in second place this season, are odds-on favourites at 4/5, with the draw priced at 11/4.

Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicolas has tipped Spurs' Player of the Season Harry Kane to open the scoring and Sky Bet go 7/2 against the England man.