Preview: Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur - prediction, team news, lineups

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to build on their victory over Arsenal when they head to Newcastle United on Wednesday evening.

Spurs beat North London rivals Arsenal 2-1 at the weekend to keep their European hopes alive, while Newcastle were beaten 2-1 by Watford as their season continues to peter out.

Match preview

Tottenham could not afford to lose against their bitter rivals if they were to prevent 2019-20 being anything other than a disastrous season for the club.

Out of each cup competition and battling for a top-six finish in the Premier League, Jose Mourinho's first season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has not exactly been a success.

However, the win over Arsenal - secured through a late Toby Alderweireld goal after Son Heung-min had cancelled out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's opener - has at least given Spurs a platform to build from.

The victory became even more important 24 hours on, in fact, as Manchester City's two-year ban from European football was overturned, meaning that seventh will no longer be enough for a Europa League qualifying spot.

Instead, Mourinho's men will have to make up a three-point deficit on Wolverhampton Wanderers in sixth with only three games to go - a run of fixtures that includes a trip to fourth-placed Leicester City.

Speaking after the Arsenal match, Alderweireld described the result as a "turning point" in Tottenham's season, coming on the back of some inconsistent results since last month's restart.

Spurs have now won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six matches and, in terms of results since Mourinho succeeded Mauricio Pochettino in November, they are fifth in the form table.

There appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for Tottenham, then, and back-to-back wins for the first time since February will ensure that they have every chance of qualifying for the Europa League - a competition Mourinho intends to win for a third time with Spurs.

The same is not quite true for Newcastle, who have receded over the past couple of weeks since thrashing Bournemouth 4-1 on their travels.

Motivation may be an issue for the Magpies given that they are firmly in mid-table, well clear of relegation but with no hope of finishing in a European spot.

Steve Bruce's side have lost 5-0 to Man City and 2-1 to lowly Watford in their last two matches, the latter seeing them concede two second-half penalties to throw away the points.

They are unbeaten in six home league matches, however, and have lost just three times at St James' Park all campaign - not since 2011-12 have they had a better record.

With Tottenham and Liverpool to play on home soil, either side of a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, Bruce will be hopeful that his players are motivated enough to prevent their campaign from ending on a low note.

Newcastle's Premier League form: WDWDLL Newcastle's form (all competitions): DLWDLL

Tottenham's Premier League form: DWLWDW Tottenham's form (all competitions): DWLWDW

Team News

Tottenham are still sweating on the fitness of Dele Alli, who has missed their last few games, while Eric Dier remains suspended.

Right-back Serge Aurier is also expected to miss Wednesday's clash following the death of his brother in the early hours of Monday.

Aurier's absence coincides with the return of Japhet Tanganga, who was among the substitutes against Arsenal.

Mourinho pulled off a tactical masterclass against Arsenal by fielding a 4-4-1-1 of sorts, but a return to 4-3-3 is likely against Newcastle, possibly meaning a recall for Erik Lamela.

Newcastle's drop in form has not been helped by a number of first-team players being struck down by injury, with Ciaran Clark, Sean Longstaff, Isaac Hayden and Andy Carroll still out.

Florian Lejeune is pushing for a return to action before the end of the season, but this game may come too soon for him, while Danny Rose is ineligible to face his former club.

Elsewhere, Allan Saint-Maximin picked up a knock against Watford and is believed to be touch-and-go for Wednesday's match.

Newcastle possible starting lineup: Dubravka; Krafth, Lascelles, Fernandez, Yedlin; Saint-Maximin, Shelvey, Bentaleb, Joelinton; Almiron; Gayle

Tottenham possible starting lineup: Lloris; Tanganga, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Davies; Sissoko, Winks, Lo Celso; Lamela, Kane, Son

We say: Newcastle United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle have lost back-to-back matches but have been tough to beat on home soil this season. Tottenham have struggled for consistency pretty much all campaign, meanwhile, and we can see them following up their derby victory with a stalemate in the North-East.