The firestorm facing Alan Pardew would take a serious blow if Newcastle can get themselves out of the relegation zone.
They have a chance to do so today as they head to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham Hotspur live at 9:30am ET on NBCSN or live online at NBC Sports Live Extra.
Unfortunately, they’ll have to do so without leading scorer Papiss Cisse, who misses out with an unknown injury. Instead, it will be the 21-year-old Spaniard Ayoze Perez who takes his place up front.
Cisse will be a huge miss for Newcastle, as he has collected four goals this season and assisted Yoan Gouffran’s winner over Leicester City last time out. This time around, a win would take Newcastle officially out of the relegation zone and put Sunderland into the danger area. Even a point would do the job thanks to Sunderland’s worse goal differential.
WATCH LIVE: Tottenham vs Newcastle live on NBC Sports Live Extra
Ryan Taylor makes Newcastle’s bench as well, of note after missing over two years due to injury. He last appeared in Newcastle’s squad in August of 2012, and has been out ever since with an ACL tear, re-injuring it back in April on his first comeback attempt.
9 - Tottenham have conceded nine Premier League penalties in 2014, more than any other team. Blunders.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 26, 2014
For Tottenham, Erik Lamela comes back to the Premier League after scoring his absolute worldly in the Europa League midweek. He has yet to score in Premier League play, although he does have three assists.
23-year-old local product Ryan Mason makes his fourth straight start in midfield after impressing manager Mauricio Pochettino.
LINEUPS:
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris; Dier, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose; Capoue, Mason; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Adebayor.
Bench: Vorm, Chiriches, Davies, Dembele, Lennon, Kane, Soldado.
Newcastle United: Krul; Janmaat, S.Taylor, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Anita, Colback, Obertan; Perez, Gouffran.
Bench: Elliot, Haidara, R.Taylor, Ameobi, Cabella, Armstrong, Ferreyra.