Newcastle have had a fantastic start to this season and it doesn’t look like stopping. Fourth in the league, unbeaten this season, and Newcastle have the best defensive record in the Premier League, conceding fewer goals than any other team – only four goals let in.  Across all leagues, only Rangers can better this with 3 goals conceded.

Head to head,Newcastle have not beaten Spurs in the last three meetings, but this was preceded by six straight Newcastle victories.

Tottenham will be Newcastle’s toughest test this season, but Newcastle’s home form has been excellent, this and last season. Last season, only Man United scored more goals at home than Newcastle.

Spurs are also in great form, winning their last four after a tough start against both Manchester clubs in which they leaked 8 goals, only scoring one.

Tottenham have had the more challenging start to the season with defeats against United and City, but in their last four, they have beaten Arsenal (who hasn’t, some may ask – but it was a big derby match) and spanked Liverpool 4-0 at home.

This should be a great match for the neutral. Harry has a few injury concerns, and the Southerners may find the air a little on the cool side, up on the Tyne. Adebayor faces a fitness test, van der Vaart is only a possible, Sandro and Lennon are doubtful, and Kranjcar and Corluka are out.  Gallas, Dawson and Huddlestone remain sidelined.

Pardew is more fortunate with his international players returning uninjured, however, Guthrie and Ameobi are doubtful.

I fancy Newcastle to nick this and continue their superb roll, there is great value in the home win, and Redknapp’s missing players swing it for me.

Should be over 2.5 goals in this match, there hasn’t been a 0-0 between these two since August 1971 at White Hart Lane.

Newcastle home win, correct score 2-1

Best odds for the home win, are currently 3.10 with PaddyPower  and for the correct score of 2-1 the best odds are 12.00 with Blue Square

Laith Amiry, weekendfootball

Arsenal and Sunderland, 15^th and 16^th in the league is the second Sunday lunch match of the weekend.

Last season, Sunderland went to the Emirates and took a point from a goalless draw, they also earned a point in a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light. In fact, Arsenal have only won one league match against Sunderland in their last six, four being draws.

Although Arsenal are 13th in the 6 game form tables, over 10 games, Arsenal are second from bottom, just above bottom of the league Bolton. The table reveals Arsenal’s poor defensive record, where they have conceded 23 goals in 10 games, only scoring 14.

Arsenal’s two victories in their last 10, were both last month over bottom of the table Bolton and new boys Swansea.

Sunderland have only won one game this season, but have a much better defensive record and goal ratio (9:8), conceding exactly half the number of goals that Arsenal have let in (10:16).

Sunderland had their best season in many years, finishing 10^th last season, but Sunderland, like Arsenal have also had a poor start, failing to beat any of the three newcomers and losing at home to Newcastle. Their solitary win, the 4-0 home win over Stoke, was a big surprise.

Before Sunderland’s period of only one defeat in 6 head to heads, Arsenal had a straight run of 7 league victories over Sunderland.

The recent head to heads, and Sunderland’s tight and Arsenal’s poor defence, suggest a draw or even a surprise at the Emirates, but I think this may be a turning point for Arsenal, who are already sounding defeatist and talking about not needing to be in the Champions League!

Phil Bardsley completes his ban, Titus Bramble is suspended, Craig Gordon and Frazier Campbell are not yet fit, and Nicklas Bendtner is ineligible to play against his parent club.  It looks like Sunderland are as threadbare as Arsenal were at the beginning of the season.

Sunderland last won at Arsenal 28 years ago!

Arsenal home win, correct score 2-0

Best odds for the home win, are currently 1.50 with William Hill  and for the correct score of 2-0 the best odds are 8.00 at Ladbrokes

Laith Amiry, weekendfootball