Eddie Howe's Newcastle continue the defence of their EFL Cup crown by welcoming Tottenham to St James' Park for a fourth-round tie on Wednesday evening.
Newcastle United gave their supporters the thrill of their lives when lifting the EFL Cup at Wembley last season and they will be in no mood to hand the silverware back just yet.
To continue their defence, however, they need to beat a Tottenham side who deserve the ultimate respect based on their away record this season.
It is a huge tie between two of the biggest guns and we have identified a 3/1 bet builder for the contest.
Newcastle vs Tottenham Bet Builder
Newcastle to win @ 4/5
Harvey Barnes to Have 1+ Shots on Target @ 17/40
Over 4.5 Tottenham Corners @ 17/20
Pays out at 3/1
Magpies to take advantage of schedule help
There is no doubt that this game comes at a poor time for Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, who has serious selection issues to resolve.
Spurs were last in action on Sunday – 24 hours after Newcastle last played – winning at Everton and are next in league action on Saturday when they host Chelsea – 24 hours before the Magpies next take to the pitch.
That looks like a sizeable advantage for Newcastle, who have the other bonus of playing this game at home, as they were on Saturday when beating Fulham 2-1.
The scheduling, never mind the trip to Tyneside, is going to test Frank’s juggling skills and looks to hand the holders a significant advantage.
Tottenham are a sublime away team this season having won four and drawn three of their seven road trips.
But with four wins in five in all competitions – three at home – it looks like Newcastle are emerging from an inconsistent start to the campaign and can send Spurs packing.
Leg 1: Newcastle to win @ 4/5
Bit part Barnes can take chance to shine
Several fringe players from both camps will be summoned into action at St James’ Park, among them Harvey Barnes.
The United flier is a consistent contributor off the bench this season with three goals in his last five outings, as a sub against Union Saint-Gilloise and again against Benfica.
It’s entirely plausible he starts against Spurs but at the very least will be a threat against a tiring rearguard when he surely does arrive.
And averaging a shot a game, considering the relative lack of pitch time, illustrates that threat and tells us he can get at least one effort on target.
Leg 2: Harvey Barnes to Have 1+ Shots on Target @ 17/40
Frank’s side can help corner a profit
Only Arsenal are winning more corners away from home in the Premier League this season than Tottenham.
The Gunners are averaging eight corners per away game, Spurs 6.8.
Whether chasing the game – as is quite possible – or setting the pace, take the Londoners to chalk up at least five corners.
Leg 3: Over 4.5 Tottenham Corners @ 17/20
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