Tottenham and Newcastle face early Premier League test as both managers assess strong squads

Tottenham host Newcastle at 16:30 GMT on Saturday, 29 August 2026, in the second round of the Premier League, with both sides preparing for a major early-season test.

Africafoot’s preview lists the expected starting line-ups for the meeting. Tottenham are not expected to have a fully fit squad, with several players still unavailable through injury. However, most of the first-team group, along with the club’s summer arrivals, are available to manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian has options to rotate his side, particularly after Tottenham’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Charlton in the EFL Cup. That result allowed several established players to be rested ahead of the Newcastle fixture.

Tottenham’s predicted line-up is:

– Goalkeeper: Antonin Kinsky – Defenders: Archie Gray, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andrew Robertson – Midfielders: Sandro Tonali, Lucas Bergvall, Mikey Moore, Conor Gallagher – Forwards: Mathys Tel, Richarlison

The proposed selection suggests Tottenham could combine experience with youth in both defence and midfield. The side includes summer additions and players who featured in the club’s squad rotation during the EFL Cup campaign.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are not reported to have suffered any significant new injury setback. Manager Matthias Jaissle is understood to have almost his entire squad available after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool and a 3-2 EFL Cup win over West Brom.

The club’s absence from European competition this season gives Jaissle greater freedom to select his strongest Premier League side without having to manage the workload of players across several tournaments. Newcastle can therefore approach the match with a settled first-choice team.

Newcastle’s predicted line-up is:

– Goalkeeper: Lukas Hornicek – Defenders: Amar Dedic, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall – Midfielders: Steur, Lewis Miley, Anthony Elanga, Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes – Centre-forward: Nick Woltemade

The visitors’ expected team contains a mixture of defensive strength, midfield energy and attacking pace. Woltemade is listed to lead the line, with Wissa, Elanga and Barnes expected to provide support from behind.

The fixture will be Tottenham’s second league match of the campaign and offers an immediate opportunity to make progress against one of the division’s leading squads. Newcastle will aim to build on their draw with Liverpool and their midweek cup success when they travel to north London.

Listed pre-match prices from 1xBet make Tottenham the slight favourites. A home victory is priced at 2.05, while the draw is listed at 3.65 and a Newcastle win at 3.00. These odds indicate a closely contested match, with neither side given a decisive advantage before kick-off.

Both clubs therefore go into the game with confidence from their latest cup results, although Tottenham have some fitness concerns while Newcastle appear to have a more complete squad available.