Tottenham Hotspur host Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon with both sides looking to kickstart sluggish starts to the season.
Spurs two games in the last week sum up their start to the season so far. Last weekend they went to the Etihad and were again thrashed by Manchester City as they lost 4-1 and had defender Federico Fazio sent off.
However they then went and destroyed lowly Greek opposition in the Europa League 5-1 at home with Erik Lamela's sublime back heel from 20 yards being the obvious highlight. Home form has been positive this year with just the resounding 3-0 loss to Liverpool in August being the only blip.
Consistency has been the big issue for Spurs over the last couple of years now in their attempts to get back in the top four. Mauricio Pochettino has this problem now because it seems he doesn't know what his strongest team is with a lot of similar options in certain positions.
As far as visitors Newcastle go, a huge sigh of relief was felt on Tyneside last week as United registered their first league win of the season by edging past Leicester City 1-0 at home courtesy of a great individual goal from somewhat of a forgotten man in the shape of Gabriel Obertan.
Alan Pardew may have breathed a bit easier this week, however his rest bite won't last long if his chargers can't get a result on Sunday. The stats still don't look pretty though as last week's win was only the 5th of a dismal calender year for the Geordies.
Something that will fill Newcastle fans with a bit of hope this weekend is their overall record against Spurs, which is pretty decent. This includes a famous 1-0 win at White Hart Lane last season where goalkeeper Tim Krul who was crucial last week had probably the game of his life by making a string of world class saves.
Team News
Fazio will be missing in defence for Spurs through suspension after his red card in the Etihad humiliation.
Kyle Naughton and Nabil Bentaleb will face late fitness tests for Spurs regarding ankle issues
Ryan Taylor will return to the squad after 26 months out following injuring his cruciate ligament twice.
The first two choice strikers Papiss Cisse and Emanuel Riviere are both touch and go for this one because of a knee injury and an unspecified knock
There are also doubts on Mike Williamson and Cheick Tiote
Stats
Spurs have conceded nine penalties this season, the most in the league
Papiss Cisse has four goals and an assist in four appearences this season
Tottenham have scored in 18 of their last 19 games against Newcastle