TipResumen

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Mike Ashley continues to rule the roost as owner of Newcastle United, but the tenure also continues to lurch from one problem to another. Surprisingly Rafa Benitez has not made the decision to leave St James' Park as manager of the club despite once again not being backed in the transfer market and making it widely known his squad are once again lacking. Benitez was a key reason Newcastle United not only avoided being dragged into a relegation fight last season but also finished as the highest of the newly promoted clubs in their top half position. They have added to the squad with the arrival of Fabian Schar and Sung-Yeung Ki, while Solomon Rondon comes in from West Brom to provide the goals to help Newcastle United from falling back from the position they earned last season. Home form is once again going to be key for Newcastle United who earned 8 of those in the Premier League last season which means only the top six and Everton secure more victories in front of their own fans. Rondon is supposed to fix the problems The Magpies had in front of goal, but the players may feel good about their chances of winning games at St James' Park having won 5 of their last 6 here last season. Florian Lejeune is expected to miss a few months with an ACL injury, but otherwise there is a full squad from which Rafa Benitez can pick on the opening weekend of the season.



TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

I am writing this preview of the new season before the transfer window is closed in England on Thursday afternoon, but at the moment Tottenham Hotspur are the only club who have yet to add to a squad that finished 3rd in the Premier League last season. Their rivals for the Champions League places have all strengthened which has to be a concern for the fans, but there is also an excitement which comes with a move into a new Stadium next month. By the time the window closes Tottenham Hotspur are expected to have brought in players with the most likely being Jack Grealish from Aston Villa. Mauricio Pochettino will be happy with the players he does have considering the improvement Tottenham Hotspur continue to show, and they have kept their key players at the club and will only sell the likes of Danny Rose or Toby Alderweireld to aid in adding to the playing staff. For the third season in a row Tottenham Hotspur finished in the top three of the Premier League table which will give them plenty of confidence in a young squad which still has room for improvement. The side were one of four teams who finished with at least 10 away wins in the Premier League last season and matching that number will give Spurs every chance of challenging for the Champions League spots for a fourth consecutive season. Tottenham Hotspur had an inconsistent finish to the last season having won 3 and lost 3 of their last 7 games in all competitions. They were beaten at West Brom in their last away game which snapped a run of 13 unbeaten on their travels in all competitions. Moussa Sissoko and Victor Wanyama are doubts for this fixture, but Eric Lamela should be passed fit. Tottenham Hotspur have 9 players who only returned to training this past Monday after playing in the World Cup Semi Finals, although there is a feeling Harry Kane, Jan Vertonghen and Kieran Trippier will be available to start



HEAD TO HEAD

Tottenham Hotspur did the Premier League double over Newcastle United last season which includes winning 0-2 at St James' Park on the opening weekend of the 2017/18 campaign. That game changed when Jonjo Shelvey was sent off for the home side, but Tottenham Hotspur have won on 3 of their last 4 visits to St James' Park.



PREDICTION

The upheaval at Newcastle United shows very little sign of settling down but every time you think Mike Ashley will think about selling the club he tightens his grip and refuses to let go. Once again Ashley has cut the purse strings to manager Rafa Benitez and so this looks another season in which the Spanish manager will have to get more out of this squad of players than looks possible. Goals have been a problem for Newcastle United and I am not convinced Solomon Rondon will be the answer, while they are a team who can struggle under the weight of expectation the home fans have of them. However Benitez has managed to use the passion in a strong enough way that Newcastle United won more Premier League home games than the likes of Burnley and Crystal Palace last season. The players were clearly encouraged when the big clubs visited too having lost just 2 games at St James' Park to the top six in the Premier League. One of those losses did come against Tottenham Hotspur, but it was goalless until Jonjo Shelvey was sent off and this looks another tough opening away fixture for Spurs who played here on opening weekend last season. This time Tottenham Hotspur have a number of players returning from the World Cup who may not be involved from the off. That could include the likes of Dele Alli, Jan Vertonghen and Harry Kane although the latter two could earn a start here as Tottenham Hotspur look for a positive opening to the season. The lack of pre-season for those players has to be a concern and you can see why Tottenham Hotspur are odds against to win here. Spurs have managed to find a way to win in 3 of their last 4 visits to this part of the North East though and I think they may edge out this Newcastle United team whose players refused to fulfil TV commitments earlier this week because of a row about bonuses. It may be a distraction that prevents the home team from being at their very best and I think this Tottenham Hotspur squad is more settled. Even with the World Cup players potentially missing out, I will back Tottenham Hotspur to find a victory on a tough ground and I will back them on the Asian Handicap to secure that.