Newcastle face Spurs Cup challenge with fourth choice keeper

What a season Alan Pardew is having at Newcastle. At one point he was favourite to be axed, though turned around the Magpies’ fortunes in remarkable fashion, to a point where he won the Premier League Manager of the Month award for November.

He can achieve further success by steering the club into the Capital One Cup semi-finals if they beat Tottenham, odds they are at 10/3 to do in 90 minutes with Coral.

The furthest that the northeast club have got in the competition is the final, in 1976 when they were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City. It is likely that Newcastle will have to attempt to knock Spurs out with fourth choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, as Pardew plans to protect Jak Alnwick ahead of the derby clash with Sunderland.

Their 10 match unbeaten run came to an end against Arsenal last time out, though it is unlikely they will let it deter them. Ayoze Perez got the solitary strike in the 4-1 defeat at the Emirates, and is 9/4 to net anytime against Spurs.

However, fellow new signing, Emmanuel Riviere is Newcastle’s top scorer in the competition with two goals and is 10/3 in the anytime market. Papiss Cisse, who has seven this season, is 7/1 to strike first, while youngster Rolando Aarons, who also boasts a strike in the Capital One Cup, has 6/1 odds to beat the keeper on any occasion.

For Spurs, meanwhile, they will have identified this competition as one they could potentially win. Odds-on at 17/20 to reach the semi-finals in 90 minutes, Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be feeling confident following a well earned victory away at Swansea.

Christian Eriksen was the difference against the Swans, with an assist and a goal. He is well priced at 6/4 to net anytime against Newcastle, while striker Harry Kane, who has struck twice in the competition already and is the club’s top scorer with 10 goals, is 9/2 to break the deadlock. Erik Lamela has also netted in earlier rounds and is 7/1 in the same market.