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2019/20:
Spurs (a)

This Sunday sees The Magpies make their first appearance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - last season's scheduled visit being switched to Wembley Stadium following construction delays.

The Magpies have sold their full 3,000 allocation and those places are located in the lower tier of the North East Corner. The photo above shows Aston Villa fans occupying that area earlier this month.

The game is a 60,000 sell-out and it's a 4.30pm start, live on Sky Sports.



Spurs have published a guide to their new home which can be downloaded online here. Worthy of note is their very strict policy on bags and the fact that the entire stadium is cashless.

This will become the 58th different ground we've played on competitively in the Premier League. 

NUFC: Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll, Christian Atsu and Florian Lejeune remain unavailable, but Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin are both predicted to feature.

Coral matchday betting online here:

12/1 Newcastle to win
24/5 the draw
2/9 Spurs to win
33/1 Newcastle to win 1-0
7/1 match to end in a score draw
16/1 match to end 0-0

Their "Your Call" option allows you to create bespoke odds and we've cobbled some together:

THFC win to nil, score 3.5 or more 11/2
THFC win to nil, win at HT & FT 6/4
THFC win, draw at HT 29/10
THFC win, BTTS, THFC score both halves 13/5
NUFC win to nil 22/1

THFC: Heung-min Son is available for the first time this season after completing a suspension. Missing out are Ben Davies, Ryan Sessegnon, Dele Alli and Juan Foyth.

The Cockerels have four points from their opening two games, coming from behind to beat Aston Villa at home and then levelling twice to claim a point from a 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

Travel:

Updated travel advice issued by Spurs is here

This game coincides with the closure of London Kings Cross station, with no trains running beyond Peterborough on Saturday and Sunday.

That will cause massive travel problems across the Bank Holiday weekend and although it is possible to travel to London from Newcastle on matchday with extended journey times, in reality there's a very high probability of further delay and disruption. 

And as for getting home, good luck with that - if you're quick off the mark at full time there is a connection via Bedford to a 22.22 departure from Peterborough reaching Newcastle at 02.08.

Alternatively that same 02.08 arrival can be intercepted at Doncaster by going via Sheffield or York by going via Manchester. 

Replacement buses will run between Peterborough and Bedford, allowing passengers to continue their journey to and from London St. Pancras (next door to Kings Cross).

In addition, there are engineering works at Newark that will further disrupt some train services across the weekend.

Network Rail confirm that no alcohol will be allowed on those replacement bus services - that's a requirement for all journeys of this type and has nothing to do with football fans travelling on them.

PS: Cross Country Trains have announced various cancellations and bus replacement services on Sunday. They don't serve any London stations, but if anyone's alternative route to or from Spurs includes their services, check your timings.

Further information is online here

Travel 2:

There's no metro service between Wallsend and Tynemouth all day Saturday and until 6.30pm on Sunday. Replacement bus 900 operates.

Stats: 

Magpies @ Cockerels - Premier League era:

2018/19: Lost 0-1
2017/18: Lost 0-1
2015/16: Won 2-1 Mitrovic, Perez
2014/15: Lost 0-4 (LC)
2014/15: Won 2-1 Ameobi, Perez
2013/14: Won 1-0 Remy
2012/13: Lost 1-2 Gouffran
2011/12: Lost 0-5
2010/11: Lost 0-2
2008/09: Lost 0-1
2007/08: Won 4-1 Butt, Geremi, Owen, Martins
2006/07: Won 3-2 Huntington, Martins, Butt
2005/06: Lost 0-2
2004/05: Lost 0-1
2003/04: Lost 0-1
2002/03: Won 1-0 Jenas
2001/02: Won 3-1 Acuna, Shearer, Bellamy
2000/01: Lost 2-4 Solano, Dyer
1999/00: Drew 1-1 Speed (FAC)
1999/00: Lost 1-3 Solano
1998/99: Lost 0-2
1997/98: Lost 0-2
1996/97: Won 2-1 Ferdinand 2
1995/96: Drew 1-1 Ginola
1995/96: Won 2-0 Sellars, Ferdinand (FR)
1994/95: Lost 2-4 Fox 2
1993/94: Won 2-1 Beardsley 2

Referee: Mike Dean - the Magpies failed to win any of the three games involving them that he took charge of last season: a 1-2 home loss to Wolves, a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth and the 1-1 stalemate away at Brighton.

UK TV: Live on Sky Sports

Overseas TV: To follow

UK Radio: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport

Local Radio: Live on BBC Radio Newcastle

Upcoming PL fixtures:

Fri 23.08.2019
Aston Villa v Everton (8pm) Sky

Sat 24.08.2019:
Norwich City v Chelsea (12.30pm) BT
Brighton & Hove Albion v Southampton (3pm)
Manchester United v Crystal Palace (3pm)
Sheffield United v Leicester City (3pm)
Watford v West Ham (3pm)
Liverpool v Arsenal (5.30pm) Sky

Sun 25.08.2019:
Bournemouth v Manchester City (2pm) Sky
Spurs v Newcastle (4.30pm) Sky
Wolves v Burnley (4.30pm)

Our sponsors CentrAle have the entire range of Blaydon's Firebrick Brewery bottled and canned beers in stock, including their excellent Tyne 9 black lager (and the proper branded pint glass to sup it from).

U23s:
Third time lucky?

Having started their season with a 0-6 loss at Reading and a 1-2 home defeat by West Ham, Newcastle's U23 side will hope for a better outcome when they return to action this coming Friday night.

Their opponents in a 7pm kick-off at St. James' Park are a Manchester United side in rather better form; following up a 5-0 success against West Bromwich Albion with a 2-0 victory over Reading.

The Magpies enjoyed contrasting fortunes against the Red Devils at this level last season; winning 4-1 at Leigh but conceding five goals without reply in the return fixture at Gallowgate.

The usual admission arrangements will apply, with the East Stand open for spectators and entry free for season ticket holders and members, or else £3 adults and £1 concessions payable at the turnstiles.

League Cup:
Leicester City

Newcastle will face Leicester City in their League Cup Second Round tie at SJP this coming Wednesday August 28th. 

It's a 7.45pm kick-off and a result must be achieved on the night, via 30 minutes extra time or failing that, a penalty shootout.

The only all-Premier League tie at this stage comes between our Sunday trip to Spurs and a Saturday home game against Watford. It isn't televised live.

Tickets are £10 adults and £5 concessions (£20 and £10 on the day) and on public sale now. Only the lower stands will be open for home fans.

There's been some debate regarding the likely size of the crowd for this game, with most estimates pointing at less than 20,000 attending.

Here are our ten smallest SJP attendances in the League Cup since it was founded in 1960:

15,211 Reading 1989
14,906 Preston North End 1963
14,520 Sheffield United 1988
14,372 Scunthorpe United 1961
14,083 Mansfield Town 1992
12,778 Boro 1990
12,595 Sheffield United 1962
9,197 Crewe Alexandra 1991
9,130 Colchester United 1960
9,073 Bury 1980

The most recent sub-20K turnout at Gallowgate in this competition was the visit of Mansfield Town in August 1992, when we were in the second tier.

The smallest League Cup crowd at SJP in the Premier League era was the 20,577 present when Spurs came here in August 2008 - just a fortnight after the departure of manager Kevin Keegan.  

In terms of the FA Cup, the 15,805 who bothered to attend a Third Round replay against Plymouth Argyle in January 2010 made up our smallest SJP cup attendance since 1920.

NUFC: To follow

Coral matchday betting will appear here

LCFC: The Magpies have never faced the Foxes in this competition previously.

Assuming he's in the City squad, the tie will see Ayoze Perez return to Gallowgate for the first time since his close season switch to Leicester. 

Stats: 

Last 10 League Cup Second Round ties:

2008/09 Coventry City (a) won 3-2
2009/10 Huddersfield Town (h) won 4-3
2010/11 Accrington Stanley (a) won 3-2
2011/12 Scunthorpe United (a) won 2-1
2013/14 Morecambe (a) won 2-0
2014/15 Gillingham (a) won 1-0
2015/16 Northampton Town (h) won 4-1
2016/17 Cheltenham Town (h) won 2-0
2017/18 Nottingham Forest (h) lost 2-3 (aet)
2018/19 Nottingham Forest (a) lost 1-3

Referee: tbc

UK TV: None

Overseas TV: None (tbc)

UK Radio: TBC (if any)

Local Radio: Live on BBC Radio Newcastle

League Cup Second Round ties:

Tue 27.08.2019:
Rochdale v Carlisle United
Preston North End v Hull City
Grimsby Town v Macclesfield Town
Nottingham Forest v Derby County
Burton Albion v Morecambe
Rotherham United v Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers
Leeds United v Stoke City
Crewe Alexandra v Aston Villa
Southend United v MK Dons
Fulham v Southampton
Crystal Palace v Colchester United
Bristol Rovers v Brighton & Hove Albion
Cardiff City v Luton Town
Watford v Coventry City
Oxford United v Millwall
Newport County v West Ham Sky
Crawley Town v Norwich City
Plymouth Argyle v Reading

Wed 28.08.2019:
Burnley v mackems Sky
Lincoln City v Everton 
Newcastle United v Leicester City
Bournemouth v Forest Green Rovers
QPR v Portsmouth
Swansea City v Cambridge United

Hats for heroes:
Giveaway winner

Commemorating our former number 9 (and 10) and two classic kits, the latest release from Football Bobbles is a reversible Ferdinand bucket hat, in the colours of the home and away strips of our 1995/96 campaign.



Order online here for £22.80 +p&p. Please note that hats come in four different head sizes.

We had one to give away and asked what ground wor Les was in action on below during 1995:
 

It was of course White Hart Lane and from the correct answers received, a hat will be on the way to Philip Archbold. Thanks to all who entered.

Loan lads:
The borrowers

Updates on United's seven current loan players:

Freddie Woodman (Swansea City):
Another victory the Jacks, who won 3-1 at QPR in the Championship on Wednesday to go second in the table. Woodman played the full game and was yellow-carded.

Jacob Murphy (Sheffield Wednesday):
The winger played his part in setting up the only goal of a home victory over Luton Town on Tuesday - a result that took the Owls to the top of the Championship table.

Kelland Watts (Stevenage):
Having debuted on Saturday in a 0-0 draw at Leyton Orient, there was another 90 minute runout for defender Kell on Tuesday night. However he finished on the losing side as Stevenage were beaten 0-1 by Bradford City in League Two.

Elias Sorensen (Carlisle United):
The Danish striker was an unused substitute on Tuesday night, as the Cumbrians were beaten 0-2 at Cheltenham Town in League Two.

Liam Gibson (Grimsby Town):
The Mariners recovered from a 0-2 deficit to draw 2-2 at home to Colchester United in League Two on Tuesday but Liam wasn't in the matchday squad.

Nathan Harker (Blyth Spartans):
Pointless after their opening four league games, the green and whites are away to Bradford Park Avenue this coming Saturday.

Dan Barlaser (Rotherham United):
The Millers are an enforced period of idleness, with Tuesday's home meeting with Bury called off due to ownership issues at the Shakers. Saturday's home game with Portsmouth meanwhile has had to be postponed due to a nearby festival.

Internationals:
Dragons' done?

The Welsh squad for two international matches next month has been announced and there's no place for Newcastle defender Paul Dummett.

Asked about that omission, Welsh coach Ryan Giggs told reporters that:

"I spoke to Paul (Dummett) and he really wanted to concentrate on club football. He felt that he's had a lot of hamstring problems so he just felt he wanted to make sure he was fit for Newcastle. That was it really.

"I've got centre-halves who are playing, and I was considering him for that centre-half position, but it's not a problem.

"Obviously he's playing in the Premier League and he's a good defender, but I've got options so it's not a problem."

Dummett's international involvement has been fitful since a belated first senior cap came against the Dutch in Amsterdam in June 2014.

Fitness problems delayed a second cap - also against Holland - until November 2015 and he then made himself unavailable for selection while Chris Coleman was in charge of Wales.

Reversing that decision following the installation of Giggs saw him return in a Nations Cup tie against Ireland last September and start a game for the first time when facing Denmark in November.

His fifth and possibly final cap then came against Trinidad & Tobago at Wrexham last March.

Confirmed international call-ups:

Miguel Almiron (Paraguay):
Thu 05.09.2019 Japan (a) FR Kashima
Tue 10.09.2019 Jordan (a) FR Amman

Ciaran Clark (Ireland):
Thu 05.09.2019 Switzerland (a) ECQ Dublin
Tue 10.09.2019 Bulgaria (a) FR Dublin

Premier League:
Pukki's blinder

Norwich City  3  Newcastle  1

Match report

Incoming:
Ludwig confirmed 



Monday saw United belatedly confirm the permanent signing of defender Ludwig Francillette, who joins the U23 squad on a contract of undisclosed duration.

The French-born 20 year-old was seen posing for photos inside St. James' Park two weeks ago but no announcement was made at that point.

U23s:
Irons forge a victory

Newcastle U23s  1  West Ham U23s  2

Match highlights online here

Match report

U18s:
Youngsters 
learn Cup fate

The draw for this season's Premier League U18 Cup has taken place, with United's youngsters placed in Group E alongside Stoke City, Spurs and West Ham.

Each club faces the other at home or away in the group Stage, with the six group winners and two best runners-up qualifying for the Quarter Finals.

Confirmation of ties is awaited, but the Spurs website claims that they will be away to Newcastle on Saturday November 23rd.

And by a process of elimination, our other match days and opponents look to be as follows:

Saturday September 28th Stoke City (a) tbc
Saturday October 26th West Ham (h) tbc

PS: There's also an U16 competition, which utilises the same groups. 

Old boy:
Instant hero

Former Magpie Joselu got off to a winning start for his latest club Deportivo Alaves on Sunday, scoring the only goal of the game to defeat Levante.

The striker took 55 minutes of his debut to head home a corner kick at the near post and give his side victory in front of just 12,000 fans.

Completing 86 minutes of the game, Joselu also picked up a booking.

See his goal online here