Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

A packed St. James’ Park is ready to host another intense cup night as Newcastle United welcome Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The EFL Cup fourth-round fixture kicks off at 20:00 GMT, with both clubs viewing this as a key opportunity to progress in domestic competition. Newcastle, defending champions of the tournament, enter with growing confidence at home, while Tottenham travel north under the lights hoping to rediscover momentum after an inconsistent league spell. The night promises both tactical intrigue and high energy, with two attack-minded sides adapting to their current squad challenges.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side face this tie with a few important absences. Tino Livramento is out with a knee injury and Lewis Hall continues to recover from a hamstring problem, leaving the Magpies short of options in defensive rotations. Sandro Tonali is still unavailable due to suspension, while Joelinton is being eased back following a minor muscle strain. Howe is expected to rely on his core players — Bruno Guimarães, Anthony Gordon, and Alexander Isak — supported by rotation options such as Miguel Almirón and Harvey Barnes. Tottenham, meanwhile, are stretched by injuries of their own: Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie are sidelined, and James Maddison has yet to fully recover from an ankle issue. Thomas Frank, recently appointed at Spurs, is expected to turn to squad players like Giovani Lo Celso, Bryan Gil, and Dane Scarlett to fill the gaps.

From a tactical standpoint, Howe is expected to stay loyal to his dynamic 4-3-3 system, prioritizing quick pressing and direct attacking transitions. Newcastle’s game plan often hinges on intensity in midfield and wide play, with full-backs encouraged to push high and overlap. Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur, however, are likely to adopt a more compact 4-2-3-1, emphasizing defensive structure and counter-attacks through Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson. Spurs’ approach may involve slower buildup phases, focusing on drawing Newcastle forward before exploiting space behind the press. Both managers are expected to use the bench strategically — Howe to maintain tempo, Frank to inject pace late in the game.

In the build-up to this clash, the press narrative has centered on Newcastle’s momentum and Tottenham’s search for stability. Local outlets in the North East have highlighted Newcastle’s formidable home record and the sense of belief in their squad depth, while London media have noted that Spurs’ new system is still in transition. Journalists point to Newcastle’s intensity as a potential difference-maker but also acknowledge Tottenham’s resilience under pressure. National discussion has framed this tie as a true test of how quickly Frank can implement his tactical ideas against one of the Premier League’s most cohesive sides.

Inside television studios, analysts have been debating two key questions: can Newcastle sustain their aggressive energy against a Tottenham side that prefers control and counterplay, and will Spurs’ rotated back line hold up under pressure? Former players have praised Newcastle’s tactical discipline and home advantage but warned against underestimating Tottenham’s quality in transition. The overall prediction leans slightly in favor of Newcastle, with most experts expecting them to dictate the tempo and create more chances. Still, the consensus is that Tottenham’s unpredictability in knockout football could make this a far tighter contest than many fans anticipate.

Watch and Download Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur full match replay and highlights, At Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The match played at St. James’ Park, in EFL Cup, England.

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