Tottenham – Newcastle United

The opponents will be no less productive than in the first-round match.

Tottenham this season is little different from the version of themselves from last season. The Spurs are still strong on the European stage and just as weak domestically. Last season the London club won the Europa League, beating Manchester United in the final, but finished seventeenth in the Premier League. It was Tottenham's worst showing in decades. This season the Spurs finished in the top eight of the Champions League group stage, and in the Premier League they sit in fifteenth place. The club's leadership demonstrated their stance toward such fluctuations in the last off-season. Winning a European trophy and qualification for the Champions League did not shield Ange Postecoglou from being sacked. Thomas Frank is still hanging in there, but for many managers in the Premier League this year decisions have been made for lesser 'achievements'. Newcastle United is also far from its best form. If last season the club finished fifth, this season it does not even crack the Premier League's top 10. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe's fate in the press has not yet been discussed. With this manager, the Magpies have already endured more than one rise and fall. Bookmakers have named the visitors the favourites for the upcoming match, offering odds of 2.39 on their victory. Tottenham recently extended their winless streak in the Premier League to seven matches. This time the Spurs lost to Manchester United, and the biggest let-down was Cristian Romero, after his sending-off in the first half Tottenham conceded two unanswered goals. In the last ten Premier League matches, Tottenham have managed only one win, beating an equally dreary Crystal Palace. Newcastle are currently in their worst form since the start of the season. In the last five official matches, the Magpies have suffered four defeats, only in Paris managing not to lose to PSG. Most questions about Howe arise from the defeat to Brentford in the previous round, which took place at St James' Park. In the first leg Tottenham and Newcastle drew 2-2. In the upcoming match, both opponents have something to prove to their fans. Let's bet that there will be competitive and high-scoring football in London.