Tottenham predicted lineup vs Newcastle - Premier League | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur kick off the new year with a visit from Newcastle United as they look to rediscover some Premier League form.

The Lilywhites welcome the high-flying Magpies to north London on a three-game winless run and the increasing pressure on Ange Postecoglou could ramp up further if they again fail to pick up three points.

Spurs' brutal injury list has been a significant factor in their recent struggles and they will be without the service of the majority of their first-choice back four against Alexander Isak and co. Defensive issues have plagued Postecoglou's side this term but they will fancy their chances of unnerving Newcastle at the other end of the pitch.

Here is how Tottenham could line up.

Tottenham predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1)

Dejan Kulusevski will look to pull the strings / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

GK: Brandon Austin - Fraser Forster has come down with a sickness bug and so, with usual starter Guglielmo Vicario out injured, 25-year-old academy graduate Austin is set to make his first appearance for the club.

RB: Pedro Porro - Porro could well be the only first-choice member of Tottenham's back five available to Postecoglou for Newcastle's visit and he's likely to be hounded by the relentless Anthony Gordon.

CB: Radu Dragusin - The Romanian has struggled to impose himself since stepping in to an injury-hit defence and now has the almighty challenge of denying Isak. The red-hot striker has scored eight in his last six Premier League games.

CB: Archie Gray - Considering he's been a makeshift solution at centre-back, Gray has coped remarkably well in his new role. However, like Dragusin, his credentials will be severely tested by Isak on Saturday.

LB: Djed Spence - Destiny Udogie is the latest casualty at the back following a hamstring injury that will rule him out for approximately six weeks. Spence, who missed the draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers due to suspension, will replace him at left-back.

DM: Yves Bissouma - Much of Newcastle's power comes from a midfield trio made up of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. Mali international Bissouma will be key to preventing the Magpies from overrunning Spurs in central areas.

DM: Pape Matar Sarr - Rodrigo Bentancur impressed against Wolves and even scored in the draw, but finds himself suspended once more following a fifth booking of the season.

RW: Brennan Johnson - The Welshman is establishing an unwanted reputation as a streaky player, going on long goalscoring runs before fading into the background. Scored his first in eight games against Wolves.

AM: Dejan Kulusevski - Once again, the Swede was the standout performer for Tottenham last time out. Kulusevski is so often the beating heart for Spurs in the final third and will be integral to breaking down a defence that has kept three consecutive clean sheets.

LW: Son Heung-min - Son's missed penalty against Wolves proved costly and the South Korean hasn't looked himself of late.

ST: Dominic Solanke - Solanke has blanked in his last two but will be aiming to take advantage of Fabian Schar's suspension on Saturday. It could be a battle of two impressive and imposing centre-forwards in north London.